Process for producing cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline

ABSTRACT

An isolated gene encodes for a L-proline-3-hydroxylase having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 15, 16 and 17, or for a protein having enzymatic activity to hydroxylate the 3-position of L-proline and to act on free L-proline in the presence of 2-ketoglutaric acid and divalent iron ions to produce cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline. The gene is inserted into a vector and the resulting recombinant DNA is used to create a transformant. L-proline-3-hydroxylase is produced by culturing the transformant in a medium.

This application is a divisional of Ser. No. 10/138,162, file May 2, 2002, which is a divisional of Ser. No. 09/455,406, filed Dec. 6, 1999 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,413,748), which application is a divisional of Ser. No. 09/287,375, filed Apr. 7, 1999 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,010,891), which application is a divisional of Ser. No. 08/708,856, filed Sep. 9, 1996 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,962,292), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, which application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 08/474,135, filed Jun. 7, 1995 (now abandoned), which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 08/301,654 filed Sep. 7,1994 (now abandoned).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a process for producing cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline. Cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline is useful as a starting compound for medicines and an additive to foods. The present invention also relates to a novel enzyme capable of catalyzing the hydroxylation of L-proline at the 3-position of L-proline (hereinafter referred to as “L-proline-3-hydroxylase”). The novel enzyme is used in the above-mentioned process.

The present invention also relates to a gene encoding a protein having an activity of L-proline-3-hydroxylase (hereinafter referred to as “L-proline-3-hydroxylase gene”) which is useful for the above-mentioned process, a transformant containing the gene, and a process for producing L-proline-3-hydroxylase using the transformant.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Heretofore, chemosynthetic methods of producing cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline are known [J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 84, 3980 (1962); J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 85, 2824 (1963); Nature 289, 310 (1981); J. Org. Chem., 54, 1866 (1989); Acta Chemica Scandinavica, 43, 290 (1989)].

The conventional chemosynthetic methods for producing cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline are not satisfactory for industrial production, because of (1) the expensive raw materials, (2) too many reaction steps, (3) the complicated procedures for isolating and purifying the product and/or (4) the lower productivity of cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline.

No chemosynthetic or biological method of producing cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline by hydroxylating L-proline both regio-selectively and stereo-selectively, has been reported yet.

The object of the present invention is to provide an advantageous process for the production of cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline which is industrially applicable, and a second object of the present invention is to provide a novel enzyme which catalyzes the hydroxylation of L-proline at the 3-position of L-proline and which is useful in the above process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a process for producing cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline, which comprises allowing L-proline to coexist with 2-ketoglutaric acid, a divalent iron ion and an enzyme source which catalyzes the hydroxylation of L-proline at the 3-position of L-proline in an aqueous medium to convert L-proline into cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline, and recovering the cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline from the aqueous medium.

The present invention further provides a novel hydroxylase (L-proline-3-hydroxylase) having the following physicochemical properties:

(1) Action and Substrate Specificity:

-   -   The enzyme catalyzes the hydroxylation of L-proline at the         3-position of L-proline in the presence of 2-ketoglutaric acid         and a divalent iron ion to produce cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline.

(2) Optimum pH Range:

-   -   The enzyme has an optimum pH range of 6.5 to 7.5, for its         reaction at 30° C. for 20 minutes.

(3) Stable pH Range:

-   -   The enzyme is stable at pH values of 6.5 to 8.0, when it is         allowed to stand at 4° C. for 23 hours.

(4) Optimum Temperature Range:

-   -   The optimum temperature range is 35 to 40° C. when it is allowed         to stand at pH 7.0 for 15 minutes.

(5) Stable Temperature Range:

-   -   The enzyme is inactivated, when it is allowed to stand at pH 7.5         and at 50° C. for 30 minutes.

(6) Inhibitors:

-   -   The activity of the enzyme is inhibited by metal ions of Zn⁺⁺,         Cu⁺⁺, Co⁺⁺ and Ba⁺⁺ and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA).

(7) Activation:

-   -   The enzyme does not need any cofactor for its activation.         L-Ascorbic acid accelerates the activity of the enzyme.

(8) Km Value:

-   -   The Km value is 0.49 mM for L-proline and is 0.11 mM for         2-ketoglutaric acid, when determined in a 100 mM         N-tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl-2-aminoethansulfonic acid (TES)         buffer (pH 7.0) containing 5 mM L-ascorbic acid, 1 mM ferrous         sulfate and a pre-determined amount of this enzyme.

(9) Isoelectric Point;

The enzyme has an isoelectric point of 4.3 as determined by the Phast system.

(10) Molecular Weight:

The enzyme has a molecular weight of 35,000±5,000 daltons as determined by sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

(11) N-terminal Amino Acid Sequence:

The enzyme has an N-terminal amino acid sequence illustrated by SEQ ID NO.: 5.

SEQ ID NO.: 5: (N-terminal) 1 MetArgSerHisIleLeuGlyArgIleGlu 11 LeuAspGlnGluArgLeuGlyArgAspLeu 21 GluTyrLeuAlaThrValProThrVal

The present invention provides an L-proline-3-hydroxylase gene and a transformant containing the gene for the purpose of producing cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline efficiently and industrially using L-proline-3-hydroxylase from L-proline that is available at low cost, a process for mass-producing the L-proline-3-hydroxylase using the transformant containing the gene, and a process for producing cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline industrially, at low cost using a transformant containing the gene coding for L-proline-3-hydroxylase.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the steps of constructing plasmid pTH30 and plasmid pTH40.

In this, the thick, solid black lines each indicate a cloned Streptomyces sp. TH1 chromosome site. Ap indicates a pBR322-derived ampicillin-resistant gene. Plac indicates an Escherichia coli lactose promoter; lacZ indicates a β-galactosidase structural gene; and MCS indicates a multi-cloning site. In this, only the restriction enzyme sites related to the construction of the plasmids are shown.

FIG. 2 shows plasmid pTH71 and plasmid pTH75.

In this, the thick, solid black lines each indicate a cloned Streptomyces sp. TH1 chromosome site. At the part of the thick, solid black line as drawn along with an arrow, the site has the base sequence corresponding to SEQ ID NO.: 14. The direction of each arrow indicates the direction toward the terminal of the sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 14 from the head thereof. Ap indicates a pBR322-derived ampicillin-resistant gene. Plac indicates an Escherichia coli lactose promoter; lacZ indicates a β-galactosidase structural gene; and MCS indicates a multi-cloning site. In this, only the restriction enzyme sites related to the construction of the plasmids are shown.

FIG. 3 shows the steps of constructing plasmid pTH50.

In this, the thick, solid black lines each indicate a part containing a Streptomyces sp. TH1 chromosome site-derived L-proline-3-hydroxylase gene. Ap indicates a pBR322-derived ampicillin-resistant gene. Plac indicates an Escherichia coli lactose promoter; lacZ indicates a β-galactosidase structural gene; and MCS indicates a multi-cloning site. In this, only the restriction enzyme sites related to the construction of the plasmid are shown.

FIG. 4 shows the steps of constructing plasmid pEX1-5.

In this, the thick, solid black lines each indicate a part containing a Streptomyces sp. TH1 chromosome site-derived L-proline-3-hydroxylase gene. Ap indicates a pBR322-derived ampicillin-resistant gene. Plac indicates an Escherichia coli lactose promoter; lacZ indicates a β-galactosidase structural gene; and MCS indicates a multi-cloning site. In this, only the restriction enzyme sites related to the construction of the plasmid are shown.

FIG. 5 shows the steps of constructing plasmid pTH60.

In this, the thick, solid black lines each indicate a part containing a Streptomyces sp. TH1 chromosome site-derived L-proline-3-hydroxylase gene. Ap indicates a pBR322-derived ampicillin-resistant gene. Plac indicates an Escherichia coli lactose promoter; lacZ indicates β-galactosidase structural gene; and MCS indicates a multi-cloning site. In this, only the restriction enzyme sites related to the construction of the plasmid are shown.

FIG. 6 shows the steps of constructing plasmid pTH70.

In this, the thick, solid black lines each indicate a part containing a Streptomyces sp. TH1 chromosome site-derived L-proline-3-hydroxylase gene. Ap indicates a pBR322-derived ampicillin-resistant gene. Plac indicates an Escherichia coli lactose promoter; lacZ indicates a β-galactosidase structural gene; and MCS indicates a multi-cloning site. In this, only the restriction enzyme sites related to the construction of the plasmid are shown.

FIG. 7 shows the steps of constructing plasmid pTH80.

In this, the thick, solid black lines each indicate a part containing a Streptomyces sp. TH1 chromosome site-derived L-proline-3-hydroxylase gene. Ap indicates a pBR322-derived ampicillin-resistant gene. Plac indicates an Escherichia coli lactose promoter; lacZ indicates a β-galactosidase structural gene; and MCS indicates a multi-cloning site. In this, only the restriction enzyme sites related to the construction of the plasmid are shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As the enzyme source to be used in the process for producing cis-3-hydorxy-L-proline of the present invention, any microorganism can be used so long as it has an enzymatic activity of catalyzing the hydroxylation of L-proline at the 3-position of L-proline in the presence of 2-ketoglutaric acid and a divalent iron ion. As the microorganism having such activity, mention may be made of microorganisms belonging to the genus Streptomyces or Bacillus. The preferred strain of such microorganism includes Streptomyces canus ATCC 12647, Streptomyces canus ATCC 12646, Streptomyces sp. TH1, and Bacillus sp. TH2 and TH3. Specifically, a culture, cells or processed cells of these strains can be used. Further, a crude enzyme preparation from cells of the microorganism as mentioned above, a purified product of such enzyme preparation, an immobilized enzyme preparation, etc. can be used.

Streptomyces sp. TH1 was newly isolated by the present inventors from the soil. The bacteriological properties of the strain TH1 is mentioned below.

1. Morphological Properties:

The morphological properties of the strain when cultivated on various media at 28° C. for 14 days are shown in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Morphological Properties 1) Hyphae Formation of aerial hyphae: Yes Fragmentation and motility Not observed of aerial hyphae: Fragmentation and motility Not observed of substrate hyphae: 2) Spores Sporulation and Positions Adhered to to which spores adhere: aerial hyphae Formation of sparangia: Not observed Number of spores on its More than 10 aerial mycelium: Appearance of spore chain: Spiral Characteristics of spores Spiny Surface structure: Shape and size: Ellipsoidal, 0.5~0.7 × 1.0~1.2 μm Motility and fragella: Not observed 3) Others Chlamydospores: Not observed Synnemata: Not observed Pseudosporangia: Not observed Branching mode of hyphae: Simple branching

2. Cultural Characteristics in Various Media:

The strain TH1 grows normally or vigorously on usual synthetic and natural media, while its substrate hyphae are pale pink (rose), orange or greenish brown. On some media, the strain often produces brown or blackish soluble pigments.

The cultural characteristics of the strain TH1, when the strain was cultivated on various media at 28° C. for 14 days, are shown in Table 2. The designation of the colors has been made, according to the classification of colors indicated in Color Harmony Manual published by Container Corporation of America.

TABLE 2 Cultural Characteristics in Various Media 1) Sucrose-nitrate Growth: Moderate   agar Color of substrate Pearl pink (3 ca) hyphae; Adhesion of None aerial hyphae: Soluble pigments: None 2) Glucose- Growth: Moderate   asparagine agar Color of substrate Pearl pink (3 ca) hyphae; Adhesion of None aerial hyphae: Soluble pigments: None 3) Glycerol- Growth: Moderate   asparagine agar Color of substrate Pearl pink~bright hyphae; orange (3ca~4na) Adhesion and color Poor, white (a) of aerial hyphae: Soluble pigments: Produced only a little (Pale yellow) 4) Inorganic salts- Growth: Moderate   starch agar Color of substrate Pearl (2 ba) hyphae: Adhesion and color Moderate, white (a) of aerial hyphae: Soluble pigments: Negative 5) Tyrosine agar Growth: Moderate Color of substrate Light olive (1 1/2 ie) hyphae: Adhesion and color Moderate, of aerial hyphae: white~olive gray Soluble pigments: Produced (black) 6) Nutrient agar Growth: Poor Color of substrate Light melon hyphae: yellow (3 ea) Adhesion of None aerial hyphae; Soluble pigments: None 7) Yeast extract- Growth: Abundant   malt extract agar Color of substrate Flesh pink hyphae: (4 ca) Adhesion and color of Moderate, aerial hyphae: white (a) Soluble pigments: Produced only a little (ocher) 8) Oatmeal agar Growth; Poor Color of substrate Yellow tint hyphae: (1 ba) Adhesion and color of Moderate, aerial hyphae: white (a) Soluble pigments: None

3. Physiological Properties:

The physiological properties of the strain TH1 is shown in Table 3, in which the “temperature range for growth” indicates the results of the strain after 7 day-cultivation by shaking. The remaining items indicate the results after 2 to 3 week-cultivation at 28° C.

TABLE 3 Physiological Properties 1) Temperature Range for Growth 23 to 37° C. 2) Liquefaction of Gelatin No 3) Hydrolysis of Starch Yes 4) Coagulation of Skim Milk Powder No 5) Peptonization of Skim Milk Powder No 6) Formation of Melanoid Pigments (1) Peptone-yeast extract-iron agar Yes (2) Tyrosine agar Yes 7) Utilization of Carbon Sources(*) L-Arabinose + D-Glucose + D-Xylose + Sucrose + Raffinose + D-Fructose + Rhamnose − Inositol + D-Mannitol + (*) As the basic medium, used was Pridham Gottlieb-agar medium. + indicates that the strain utilized the carbon source; − indicates that the strain did not utilize the carbon source.

4. Chemotaxonomic Properties:

The configuration of diaminopimelic acid in the cells is LL type. Accordingly, the strain TH1 is classified to the genus Streptomyces of actinomycetes in view of its morphological property that it forms spiral spore chain consisting of more than ten spores on its aerial mycelium, and in view of its chemotaxonomic property that the diaminopimelic acid contained in its cell wall is L,L-diaminopimelic acid (type I).

The strain TH1 was identified as Streptomyces sp. TH1, and the strain has been deposited with the National Institute of Bioscience and Human-Technology, Agency of Industrial Science and Technology in Japan as of Sep. 1, 1993 under FERN BP-4399 under the terms of the Budapest Treaty.

Bacillus sp. TH2 and TH3 were newly isolated by the present inventors from the soil. The bacteriological properties of strains TH2 and TH3 are mentioned below.

Both strains TH2 and TH3 are the same in the following properties, except that the cell sizes of the strain TH2 and TH3 are 1.5 to 1.8×3 to 4 μm and 1.2 to 1.5×3.5 to 4 μm, respectively, and the base compositions of DNA (G+C mol%) of the strains TH2 and TH3 are 36.46% and 37.74%, respectively.

1. Morphological Properties:

-   -   The strains had the morphological properties shown in Table 4         below.

TABLE 4 Morphological Properties 1) Cells Morphology Rod Polymorphism Not observed Motility Not observed (Position of flagella) 2) Endo Sporulation Observed   Spores Morphology Ellipse Positions The end position

2. Cultural Characteristics in Various Media:

-   -   The Cultural characteristics of strains TH2 and TH3 are shown in         Table 5 below.

TABLE 5 Cultural Characteristics in Various Media Bouillon-Agar Growth Abundant Medium Shape of surface Smooth (Meat extract) Color Pale yellow white Gloss None Diffusible pigments Negative Bouillon-liquid Growth appearance Grown only a Medium Turbidity little on surface (Meat extract) of the medium Positive Bouillon- Liquefaction of Positive Gelatin-medium gelatin Litmus milk Reaction Acid Coagulation Negative Liquefaction Positive

3. Physiological Properties:

-   -   The physiological properties of the strains TH2 and TH3 are         shown in Table 6.

TABLE 6 (1) Physiological Properties (1) Gram staining + (2) Reduction to nitrite + (3) Denitrification + reaction (4) Methyl red test − (5) VP test − (6) Indole production − (7) Hydrogen sulfide production (8) Hydrolysis of starch − (9) Utilization of + citric acid Koser's method − Christensen's method W (10) Utilization of inorganic nitrogen Nitrates − Ammonium salts + (11) Pigment production King A medium − King B medium − (12) Urease − (13) Oxidase − (14) Catalase + (15) Growth range 5 to 9.7 pH; Optimum PH; 7.1 Temperature; 4 to 36° C. Optimum temp; around 33° C. (16) Attitude towards oxygen Aerobic + Anaerobic + (facultative anaerobic) (17) OF test oxidation +: Positive, −: Negative, W: Weak

TABLE 6 (2) Production of Acid and Gas from Carbohydrates Acid Gas production production L-Arabinose − − D-Xylose − − D-Glucose + − D-Mannose − − D-Fructose + − D-Galactose − − Maltose + − Sucrose + − Lactose − − Trehalose + − D-Sorbitol − − D-Mannitol − − Inositol − − Glycerol − − Starch + − +: Positive −: Negative

4. The other Properties and the Chemotaxonomic Properties:

The other properties of strains TH2 and TH3 are shown in Table 7, and the chemotaxonomic properties are shown in Table 8 below.

TABLE 7 Other Properties Degradation of Esculin + Degradation of Malonic acid − Degradation of Arginine + Decarboxylation of Lysine − Decarboxylation of Ornithine − Deamination of Phenylalanine − Resistance to NaCl (7.5%) − Phosphatase + +: Positive −: Negative

TABLE 8 Chemotaxonomic Properties 1) Cellular lipids Ubiquinone Negative Menaquinone MK-7 2) Diamino acid composition of meso-A₂ pm cell wall peptidoglycan

The strains having the bacteriological properties mentioned above were compared with the strains indicated in Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology (Vol. 2, 1986).

Both the strains TH2 and TH3 are classified to the genus Bacillus of bacteria. The strains TH2 and TH3 were identified as Bacillus sp. TH2 and Bacillus sp. TH3, respectively. These strains have been deposited with the National Institute of Bioscience and Human-Technology, Agency of Industrial Science and Technology in Japan as of Sep. 1, 1993 under FERN BP-4397 for the strain TH2 and under FERN BP-4398 for the strain TH3, both under the terms of the Budapest Treaty.

The medium for cultivating these microorganisms may be any of natural media and synthetic media, so long as it contains carbon sources, nitrogen sources, inorganic salts, etc. that may be assimilated by microorganisms having an activity of catalyzing the hydroxylation of L-proline to produce cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline.

As the carbon sources, carbohydrates such as glucose, fructose, sucrose, molasses containing these compounds, starch and starch hydrolysates, etc.; organic acids such as acetic acid, propionic acid, etc.; alcohols such as ethanol, propanol, etc. may be used.

As the nitrogen sources, ammonia; ammonium salts of various inorganic and organic acids such as ammonium chloride, ammonium sulfate, ammonium acetate, and ammonium phosphate, etc.; other nitrogen-containing compounds; peptone, meat extracts, yeast extracts, corn steep liquor, casein hydrolysates, soy bean cakes, soy bean cake hydrolysates, various cultured cells of microorganisms, their digested products, etc. may be used.

The inorganic material includes, for example, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, dipotassium hydrogen phosphate, magnesium phosphate, magnesium sulfate, sodium chloride, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, copper sulfate, and calcium carbonate, etc.

The cultivation of these microorganisms is carried out under aerobic conditions, for example, by shaking culture or by submerged-aerial stirring culture. The temperature for the cultivation is preferably from 15 to 37° C., and the period for the cultivation is generally from 16 to 96 hours. During cultivation, the pH of the medium is kept at 5.0 to 9.0 with inorganic or organic acids, alkaline solutions, urea, calcium carbonate, ammonia, etc.

The thus-cultivated microorganisms can be used as the enzyme source in the process for producing cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline. The amount of enzyme source to be used in the process for producing cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline depends on the amount of substrate used in the process. Usually, it may be from 1.0 to 10,000,000 U, preferably from 1,000 to 3,000,000 U/liter of the aqueous medium.

In the case of using microbial cells and products obtained by processing microbial cells, the concentration of wet cells used may be generally from 1 to 300 g/l.

The enzyme activity for producing one nmol of cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline for one minute under the conditions mentioned below is defined as one unit (U).

The enzyme preparation to be determined is added to 100 mM TES buffer (pH 7.0) containing 5 mM L-proline, 5 mM 2-ketoglutaric acid, 1 mM ferrous sulfate and 5 mM L-ascorbic acid to make 100 μl in total, and the mixture was allowed to stand at 35° C. for 10 minutes. The reaction mixture is heated at 100° C. for 2 minutes so as to stop the reaction, and the amount of cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline produced in the reaction mixture is determined by high performance liquid chromatography (hereinafter referred to as HPLC).

For the determination, any method capable of determining the amount of cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline may be employed. For instance, generally a post-column derivatization method where HPLC is utilized, and a pre-column derivatization method where the compound to be determined in the reaction mixture is previously reacted with 7-chloro-4-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (hereinafter referred to as NBD) to form its NBD-derivative may be used. The derivative is separated by reversed-phase chromatography using HPLC and the thus-separated derivative is quantitatively determined by spectrofluorometry (excitation wavelength: 503 nm, emission wavelength: 541 nm). The pre-column derivatization method may be conducted, according to the method of William J. Lindblad & Robert F. Diegelmann, et al. see Analytical Biochemistry, 138, 390–395 (1984).

The concentration of L-proline used in the process for producing cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline may be from 1 mM to 2M.

The process for producing cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline requires a divalent iron ion. The concentration of the divalent iron ion may generally be from 1 to 100 mM. Any divalent iron ion may be used so long as it does not inhibit the enzyme reaction. For instance, sulfides such as ferrous sulfate, chlorides such as ferrous chloride, ferrous carbonate, the salts of organic acids such as citrates, lactates, fumarates may be used.

The process also requires 2-ketoglutaric acid. The concentration of 2-ketoglutaric acid is generally from 1 mM to 2M. 2-Ketoglutaric acid itself may be added to the aqueous medium, or alternatively, the compound that may be converted into 2-ketoglutaric acid by the metabolic activity of the microorganism used in the enzymatic reaction may be added thereto. The compound includes, for example, saccharides such as glucose, glutamic acid and succinic acid. These compounds may be used singly or in combination.

The aqueous medium to be used in the process for producing cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline includes, for example, water, buffers such as phosphates, carbonates, acetates, borates, citrates, tris-buffers, alcohols such as methanol and ethanol, esters such as ethyl acetate, ketones such as acetone, and amides such as acetamide.

The enzymatic reaction may be carried out in the culture medium where the above-mentioned microorganisms having an activity of catalyzing hydroxylation of L-proline to produce cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline are being cultivated or have been cultivated, or alternatively, the enzymatic reaction may also be carried out in an aqueous medium containing the cells of the above-mentioned microorganisms separated from the culture, processed cells, or a purified or crude enzyme derived from the cells.

Processed cells of the microorganisms include, for example, dried cells, lyophilized cells, surfactant-treated cells, enzymatically-treated cells, ultrasonically-treated cells, mechanically-ground cells, mechanically-compressed cells, solvent-treated cells, fractionated cell proteins, immobilized cells, immobilized materials obtained by processing their cells, etc.

The enzymatic reaction is generally carried out at a temperature of 15 to 50° C. and at a pH of 6.0 to 9.0, for a period of 1 to 96 hours. If desired, surfactants and/or organic solvents may be added during the processing of the cells or during the enzymatic reaction.

As the surfactants, mention may be made of cationic surfactants such as polyoxyethylene-stearylamine (e.g., Nymeen S-215, produced by Nippon Oils and Fats Co.), cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, Cation FB and Cation F2-40E, etc.; anionic surfactants such as sodium oleylamidosulfate, Newrex TAB and Rapizole 80; ampholytic surfactants such as polyoxyethylene-sorbitan monostearate (e.g., Nonion ST221); other tertiary amines PB, hexadecyldimethylamine, etc. Any surfactant that may promote the reaction may be employed. The concentration of the surfactant to be employed in the reaction may be generally from 0.1 to 50 mg/ml, preferably from 1 to 20 mg/ml.

As the organic solvent, mention may be made of toluene, xylene, aliphatic alcohols, benzene, ethyl acetates etc. Generally, the concentration of the solvent in the process may be from 0.1 to 50 μl/ml, preferably from 1 to 20 μl/ml.

To recover cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline from the aqueous medium, ordinary separation methods such as column chromatography using ion-exchange resins, crystallization, etc. may be employed. The structure of the recovered cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline may be identified by ordinary analytical methods such as ¹³C-NMR spectrum ¹H-NMR spectrum, mass spectrum, specific rotation or the like.

Next, the novel enzyme, the L-proline-3-hydroxylase of the present invention is described below.

The L-proline-3-hydroxylase may be obtained by cultivating a microorganism having an ability to produce L-proline-3-hydroxylase in a medium so as to produce and accumulate the L-proline-3-hydroxylase in the culture medium, and recovering the L-proline-3-hydroxylase from the culture.

Any microorganisms having an ability to produce L-proline-3-hydroxylase may be employed. For example, microorganisms belonging to the genus Streptomyces or Bacillus and having such activity can be used. Specific examples are Streptomyces canus ATCC12647, Streptomyces canus ATCC12646, Streptomyces sp. TH1, Bacillus sp. TH2 and Bacillus sp. TH3, a sub-cultivated strain thereof, its mutant thereof, its derivative thereof, etc.

The medium for cultivating these microorganisms may be any of natural media and synthetic media, so long as the media contains carbon sources, nitrogen sources, inorganic salts, etc. that may be assimilated by microorganisms having an ability to produce L-proline-4-hydroxylase.

The carbon source includes, for example, carbohydrates such as glucose, fructose, sucrose, molasses containing these components, starch and starch hydrolysates; organic acids such as acetic acid and propionic acid; alcohols such as ethanol and propanol which may be assimilated by the microorganisms.

As the nitrogen source, ammonia; ammonium salts of various inorganic acids and organic acids such as ammonium chloride, ammonium sulfate, ammonium acetate and ammonium phosphate; other nitrogen-containing compounds; peptone, meat extracts, yeast extracts, corn steep liquor, casein hydrolysates, soy bean cakes, soy bean cake hydrolysates, various microorganisms for fermentation, their digested products, etc. may be used.

As the inorganic material, dipotassium hydrogen phosphate, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, magnesium phosphate, magnesium sulfate, sodium chloride, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, copper sulfate, calcium carbonate, etc. can be used.

The cultivation of these microorganisms is carried out under aerobic conditions, for example, with shaking culture or submerged-aerial stirring culture. The temperature for the cultivation is preferably from 15 to 37° C., and the period for the cultivation is generally from 16 to 96 hours.

During the cultivation, the pH of the medium is kept at 5.0 to 9.0 with inorganic or organic acids, alkaline solutions, urea, calcium carbonate, ammonia, etc. During the cultivation, L-proline may be added, if desired.

To isolate and purify the enzyme from the culture containing the enzyme, any ordinary method for isolating and purifying an enzyme may be employed. For instance, the culture is subjected to centrifugation to collect the cultivated cells therefrom, and the cells are fully washed and then disrupted by an ultrasonic cell disrupter, a French press, a Manton-Gauline homogenizer, a Dyno mill, etc. to obtain a cell-free extract. The cell-free extract is again subjected to centrifugation, and the enzyme in the resulting supernatant is then purified, for example, by salting-out with ammonium sulfate or the like, by anion-exchange chromatography with diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-Sepharose or the like, by hydrophobic chromatography with butyl-Sepharose, phenyl-Sepharose or the like, by dye affinity chromatography with red-Agarose or the like, by gel filtration with molecular sieves or by electrophoresis such as isoelectric point electrophoresis or the like. In this way, a pure product of the enzyme is obtained. The activity of the L-proline-3-hydroxylase thus isolated may be determined by the same method as mentioned above.

The L-proline-3-hydroxylase, thus obtained according to the manner mentioned above, has the following physicochemical properties (1) to (11):

(1) Action and Substrate Specificity:

-   -   The enzyme catalyzes the hydroxylation of L-proline at the         3-position of L-proline in the presence of 2-ketoglutaric acid         and a divalent iron ion to produce cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline.

(2) Optimum pH Range:

-   -   The enzyme has an optimum pH range of 6.5 to 7.5 for its         reaction at 30° C. for 20 minutes.

(3) Stable pH Range:

-   -   The enzyme is stable at pH values ranging from 6.5 to 8.0, when         it is allowed to stand at 4° C. for 23 hours.

(4) Optimum Temperature Range:

-   -   The optimum temperature range is in 35 to 40° C., when it is         allowed to stand at pH 7.0 for 15 minutes.

(5) Stable Temperature Range:

-   -   The enzyme is inactivated, when it is allowed to stand at pH 7.5         and at 50° C. for 30 minutes.

(6) Inhibitors:

-   -   The activity of the enzyme is inhibited by metal ions of Zn⁺⁺,         Cu⁺⁺, Co⁺⁺ and Ba⁺⁺ and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA).

(7) Activation:

-   -   The enzyme does not need any cofactor for its activation.         L-Ascorbic acid accelerates the activity of the enzyme.

(8) Km Value:

The Km value is 0.49 mM for L-proline and is 0.11 mM for 2-ketoglutaric acid, when determined in a 100 mM N-tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid (TES) buffer (pH7.0) containing 5 mM L-ascorbic acid, 1 mM ferrous sulfate and a pre-determined amount of this enzyme.

(9) Isoelectric Point:

The enzyme has an isoelectric point of 4.3 as determined by Phast system.

(10) Molecular Weight:

The enzyme has a molecular weight of 35,000±5,000 daltons as determined by sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

(11) N-terminal Amino Acid Sequence;

The enzyme has an N-terminal amino acid sequence illustrated by SEQ ID NO.: 5.

SEQ ID NO.: 5: (N-terminal) 1 MetArgSerHisIleLeuGlyArgIleGlu 11 LeuAspGlnGluArgLeuGlyArgAspLeu 21 GluTyrLeuAlaThrValProThrVal

The L-proline-3-hydroxylases of the present invention are enzymes which hydroxylate free L-proline in the presence of 2-ketoglutaric acid and divalent iron ions to produce cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline.

The present invention encompasses any and every protein having the enzymatic activity of hydroxylating the 3-position of L-proline, which includes, for example, a protein having the amino acid sequence indicated by SEQ ID NO.: 1 or 2, a fused protein having an amino acid sequence that results from the protein or a protein having a partial amino acid sequence of the protein as bonded to a peptide having a partial amino acid sequence of an Escherichia coli-derived β-galactosidase protein, a fused protein having an amino acid sequence that results from the protein having the amino acid sequence indicated by SEQ ID NO.: 1 or 2 or a protein having a partial amino acid sequence of the protein as bonded to a peptide having a partial amino acid sequence of an E. coli-derived maltose-binding protein, etc. Examples of the fused proteins include proteins having the amino acid sequence as indicated by SEQ ID NO.: 15, 16 or 17, etc.

The amino acid sequence indicated by SEQ ID NO.: 1, 2, 15, 16 or 17 includes proteins having an amino acid sequence with one or more amino acids substituted, deleted or added and having the enzymatic activity of hydroxylating the 3-position of L-proline. The substitution, the deletion and the addition of amino acids can be conducted in accordance with the methods described in Nucleic Acids Research, Vol. 10, pp. 6487–6500 (1982); Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA, Vol. 79, pp. 6409–6413 (1982); Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA, Vol. 81, pp. 5662–5666 (1984); Science, Vol. 224, pp. 1431–1433 (1984); PCTWO85/00817 (1985); Nature, Vol. 316, pp. 601–605 (1985); Gene, Vol. 34, pp. 315–323 (1985); Nucleic Acids Research, Vol. 13, pp. 4431–4442 (1985); Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Chap. 8, Mutagenesis of Cloned DNA, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (1989), etc.

The present invention encompasses any and every L-proline-3-hydroxylase genes of a DNA fragment containing a gene that codes for a protein having the enzymatic activity of hydroxylating the 3-position of L-proline, and this may include, for example, genes coding for the protein having the amino acid sequence as indicated by SEQ ID NO.: 1, 2, 15, 16, or 17, and also genes which code for a protein that has an amino acid sequence corresponding to the amino acid sequence as indicated by SEQ ID NO.: 1, 2, 15, 16 or 17 and derived therefrom by substitution, deletion or addition of at least one amino acid and which have the enzymatic activity of hydroxylating the 3-position of L-proline. Concretely mentioned are DNAs indicated by SEQ ID NOs.: 3, 4, 13 and 14.

The L-proline-3-hydroxylases genes of the present invention include the DNAs as defined hereinabove and also DNAs as derived therefrom by mutation, such as substituting mutation, deleting mutation, inserting mutation or the like, to be conducted to the extent that the mutated DNAs do not lose the L-proline-3-hydroxylases activity, for example, DNAs with homology to SEQ ID NOs.: 3, 4, 13 or 14. Such homologous DNAs are those to be obtained by colony hybridization or plaque hybridization using, as a probe, the DNA having the nucleotide sequence as indicated by SEQ ID NOs.: 3, 4, 13 or 14. These treatments can be conducted in accordance with known in vitro recombination techniques see Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd Ed., edited by Sambrook, Fritsch, Maniatis, published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1989.

DNA fragments containing the L-proline3-hydroxylases gene can be obtained from microorganisms having the ability of hydroxylating L-proline to produce cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline. As the microorganisms, any microorganism having the ability of hydroxylating L-proline to produce cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline can be employed in the present invention. A preferred example of such a microorganism are, microorganisms belonging to the genus Streptomyces or Bacillus and having the enzymatic activity of hydroxylating the 3-position of L-proline can be mentioned. More preferable examples thereof include Streptomyces canus ATCC12 647, Streptomyces canus ATCC12646, Streptomyces sp. TH1 (FERN BP-4399), Bacillus sp. TH2 (FERN BP-4397), Bacillus sp. TH3 (FERN BP-4398), or mutants or derivatives of these strains.

Methods for obtaining L-proline-3-hydroxylases genes derived from microorganisms having the ability of producing L-proline-3-hydroxylases are described below.

Chromosomal DNA is prepared from a microorganism having the ability to produce L-proline-3-hydroxylase through a usual DNA isolation method, for example, a phenol method (see Biochem. Biophys. Acta, 72, 619–629 (1963). The thus-obtained chromosomal DNA is cleaved with suitable restriction enzymes, then the resulting fragments are inserted into vector DNAs to construct chromosomal DNA libraries for the chromosomes of the microorganisms. Using the chromosomal DNA library, host microorganisms can be transformed. The transformants containing the L-proline-3-hydroxylase gene are selected from the obtained transformants by hybridization. DNAs containing the intended gene can be obtained from the thus-selected transformants.

The process comprising a series of such steps can be conducted in accordance with known in vitro recombination method (molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, 2nd edition, edited by Sambrook, Fritsch and Maniatis, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1989).

As the vector DNAs that are used to construct the chromosomal DNA library of the microorganism having the ability of producing L-proline-3-hydroxylase, phage vectors and plasmid vectors can be used if they can be replicated autonomously in Escherichia coli K12 strain. Preferable examples of the vector DNA include λ ZAPII, pUC18 and pBluescript (commercially available from STRATAGENE Co.).

As the host microorganisms that are used to construct the chromosomal DNA library of the microorganism having the ability of producing L-proline-3-hydroxylase, any of the microorganisms belonging to the genus Escherichia can be used. Preferable examples of the host microorganisms include E. coli XL1-Blue, E. coli XL2-Blue, E. coli DH1, E. coli MC1000, etc.

Based on information obtained from the amino acid sequence of L-proline-3-hydroxylase, DNA primers are synthesized. Using the DNA primers, DNA fragments are prepared through polymerase chain reaction (hereinafter referred to as PCR). Using the thus-obtained DNA fragments, transformants containing an L-proline-3- hydroxylase gene can be selected by the hybridization method.

Information on the amino acid sequences of L-proline-3-hydroxylases can be obtained through analysis of pure L-proline-3-hydroxylases using ordinary amino acid sequencers, such as Protein Sequencer Model PPSQ-10 (produced by Shimadzu Seisakusho K.K.). As the information on the amino acid sequences thus obtained, concretely mentioned are the amino acid sequences as indicated by . SEQ ID No.: 5 to 7, etc.

The DNA primers can be synthesized by means of ordinary DNA synthesizers, for example, a 380A·DNA Synthesizer (produced by Applied Biosystems Co.), etc.

Partial fragments of L-proline-3-hydroxylases genes, which can be obtained through PCR, may be sued as probes for hybridization. For example, a DNA as indicated by SEQ ID NO.: 8 in the Sequence List (this corresponds to a sense chain DNA coding for from the first to the sixth amino acids in the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 1) and a DNA as indicated by SEQ ID NO.: 10 in the Sequence List (this corresponds to an anti-sense chain DNA coding for from the 21st to 25th amino acids in the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 1) are chemically synthesized. Through PCR using these partial fragments as DNA primers, a DNA fragment of 74 bp as indicated by SEQ ID NO.: 11 is obtained. The thus-obtained DNA fragment can be used as the probe for the hybridization.

The DNA which is obtained from the transformant as selected through the hybridization and which contains an L-proline-3-hydroxylases gene is cleaved with suitable restriction enzymes, such as PstI or the like, and then cloned into plasmids, such as pBluescript KS(+) (commercially available from STRATAGENE Co.). The nucleotide sequence of the above-mentioned gene can be determined by ordinary base sequencing methods, such as the dideoxy chain termination method of Sanger et al [see Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA, 74, 5463 (1977)]. The determination of the nucleotide sequence can be conducted using automatic DNA sequencers, such as 373A•DNA Sequencer (produced by Applied Biosystems Co.) or the like.

As the thus-determined nucleotide sequences of L-proline-3-hydroxylases genes, for example the nucleotide sequences as indicated by SEQ ID Nos.: 3, 4, 13 and 14 can be mentioned.

The DNA that codes for an L-proline-3-hydroxylase of the present invention can be introduced into vectors in a usual manner. As the vectors containing the DNA that codes for L-proline-3-hydroxylases of the present invention, for example, pTH30, pTH71, pTH75, etc. can be mentioned. Escherichia coli XL2-Blue/PTH30, which is Escherichia coli containing pTH30 and Escherichia coli XL2-Blue/pTH75 which is Escherichia coli containing pTH75, were deposited at the National Institute of Bioscience and Human-Technology of the Agency of Industrial Science and Technology (which is located at 1–3, Higashi 1-chome, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaragi-ken 305, Japan) as of Mar. 2, 1995 under FERN BP-5026 for the strain XL2-Blue/pTH30 and as of Feb. 22, 1996 under FERN BP-55409 for the strainin XL2-Blue/pTH75, both under the terms of the Budapest Treaty.

To express the thus-obtained L-proline-3-hydroxylase genes in hosts, the DNA fragment containing the L-proline-3-hydroxylase gene is first cleaved with a restriction enzyme or deoxyribonucleases (DNases) to form a DNA fragment of a suitable length containing the L-proline-3-hydroxylases gene. The thus-formed DNA fragment is inserted into an expression vector at the downstream position of the promoter therein, and thereafter the expression vector having the thus-inserted DNA therein is introduced into a host cell suitable for the expression vector.

As the host, any one capable of expressing the intended gene may be used. For example, the host includes microorganisms belonging to the genus Escherichia, Serratia, Corynebacterium, Brevibacterium, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, etc., as well as yeast strains, animal cell hosts, etc.

As the expression vector, one which is autonomously replicable in the above-mentioned hosts or capable of being inserted into their chromosomes and which contains a promoter at the position at which the L-proline-3-hydroxylases gene can be transcribed may be used.

When microorganisms such as Escherichia coli or the like are used as the host, it is desirable that the L-proline-3-hydroxylases expression vector is replicated autonomously in the microorganisms and is composed of a promoter, a ribosome-bonding sequence, an L-proline-3-hydroxylase gene and a transcription terminator sequence. A regulatory gene may be contained therein.

As examples of the expression vector, mentioned are pBTrp2, pBTac1, pBTac2 (all commercially available from Boehringer Mannheim Co.); pKYP10 (see Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 58-110600); pKYP200 [see Agric. Biol. Chem., Vol. 48, pp. 669–675 (1984)]; pLSA1 [see Agric. Biol. Chem., Vol. 53, p. 277 (1989)]; pGEL1 [see Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA, Vol. 82, p. 4306 (1985)]; pBluescript (produced by STRATAGENE Co.); pTrs30 [prepared from Escherichia coli JM109/pTrS30 (FERM BP-5407); pTrs32 [prepared from Escherichia coli JM109/pTrs32 (FERM BP-5408)], etc.

As the promoter, usable is any one capable of being expressed in hosts such as Escherichia coli, etc. For example, mentioned are promoters derived from Escherichia coli, phage, etc., such as trp promoter (Ptrp), lac promoter (Plac), PL promoter and PR promoter. Also usable are artificially designed and modified promoters, such as Ptrpx2 to be prepared by connecting two Ptrp's in series, as well as tac promoter.

As the ribosome-bonding sequence, any one capable of being expressed in hosts such as Escherichia coli. can be used. However, it is desirable to use plasmids having a ribosome-bonding sequence and an initiation codon as spaced at suitable intervals therebetween (for example, by from 6 to 18 bases).

The L-proline-3-hydroxylase gene may be any and every gene that codes for an L-proline-3-hydroxylase. However, it is desirable that the bases constituting the DNA sequence of the gene are suitably substituted in order that the substituted DNA sequence can be constituted of codon most suitable for expression in the host microorganisms to be used.

Transcription terminator sequences are not always necessary for the expression of the genes of the present invention. However, if used, it is desirable that a transcription terminator sequence is arranged just after the structural gene.

Examples of the hosts usable in the present invention include Escherichia coli XL1-Blue, Escherichia coli XL2-Blue, Escherichia coli DH1, Escherichia coli MC1000, Escherichia coli KY3276, Escherichia coli W1485, Escherichia coli JM109, Escherichia coli HB101, Escherichia coli No. 49, Escherichia coli W3110, Escherichia coli NY49, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus amyloliquefacines, Brevibacterium immariophilum ATCC14068, Brevibacterium saccharolvticum ATCC14066, Brevibacterium flavum ATCC14067, Brevibacterium lactofermentum ATCC13869, Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC13032, Corynebacterium acetoacidophilum ATCC13870, Microbacterium ammoniaphilum ATCC15354, etc.

When yeast strains are used as the host, for example, YEp13 (ATCC37155), YEp24 (ATCC37051), YCp50 (ATCC37419), etc. can be used as the expression vector.

As the promoter, any one that can be expressed in the host of yeast strains can be used. For example, usable are promoters in genes of glycolases, such as hexosekinase, etc., as well as other promoters such as gal 1 promoter, gal 10 promoter, heat-shock protein promoters, MF α1 promoter, CUP 1 promoter, etc.

As examples of the host cells, Saccharomyces cerevisae, Schizosaccharomyces probe, Kluyveromyces lactis, Trichosporon pullulans, Schwanniomyces alluvius, etc. can be mentioned.

When animal cells are used as the host, for example, pcDNA I/Amp, pcDNA I, pcDM8 (all commercially available from Funakoshi Co.), etc. can be used as the expression vector. As the promoter, any one that can be expressed in the host of animal cells can be used. For example, usable are promoters such as those in human CMV IE (immediate early) genes. An enhancer of human CMV IE genes can be used along with the promoter.

As examples of the host cells, Namalwa cells, HBT 5637 cells (see Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 299/88), COS cells, CHO cells, etc. can be used.

To introduce DNA into animal cells, any and every method capable of introducing DNA into animal cells can be employed herein. For example, employable are electroporation methods [see Miyaji et al., Cytotechnology, 3, 133 (1990)], calcium phosphate methods (see Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 227075/90), lipofection methods [see Philip L. Felgner, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA, 84, 7413 (1987)], etc. The resulting transformants can be collected and cultivated in accordance with the methods described in Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application Nos. 227075/90 and 257891/90.

The transformants obtained in the manner mentioned above can be cultivated according to ordinary incubation methods.

As the media for cultivating the transformants obtained by using the hosts of microorganisms such as Escherichia coli, yeast strains, etc., both natural and synthetic media can be employed so long as the media properly contain carbon sources, nitrogen sources, inorganic salts and other materials capable of being assimilated by the microbial hosts and in which the transformants can be efficiently cultivated.

Any carbon sources that can be assimilated by the microorganisms may be used. Examples of the carbon source include carbohydrates such as glucose, fructose, sucrose, molasses containing these components, starch and starch hydrolyzates; organic acids such as acetic acid and propionic acid; and alcohols such as ethanol and propanol.

As the nitrogen sources, ammonia, ammonium salts of inorganic and organic acids such as ammonium chloride, ammonium sulfate, ammonium acetate and ammonium phosphate, other nitrogen-containing compounds, peptone, meat extracts, yeast extracts, corn steep liquor, casein hydrolyzates, soybean cakes, soybean cake hydrolyzates, cultured fermented cells, their digested products, etc. may be used.

As inorganic salts, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, dipotassium hydrogen phosphate, magnesium phosphate, magnesium sulfate, sodium chloride, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, copper sulfate, calcium carbonate, etc. may be used.

The cultivation is conducted under aerobic conditions, for example, with shaking culture or submerged-aerial stirring culture. The temperature for the cultivation is 15 to 40° C. The period for the cultivation is usually 16 to 96 hours. During the cultivation, the pH of the medium is kept at 3.0 to 9.0. The pH is adjusted using inorganic or organic acids, alkaline solutions, urea, calcium carbonate, ammonia or the like.

L-Proline is suitably added to the media in such a manner that its concentration may be from 5 to 1000 mM, preferably from 20 to 200 mM, whereby the intended L-proline-3-hydroxylases can be produced more efficiently.

Antibiotics such as ampicillin, tetracycline or the like may be added to the medium during the cultivation, if required.

For the cultivation of the microorganisms which are transformed with the expression vector using an inducible promoter, inducers may be added to the medium, if required. For example, in cultivation of microorganisms transformed with the expression vector using lac promoter, isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) maybe added to the medium. In cultivation of microorganisms transformed with an expression vector using trp promoter, indoleacrylic acid (IAA) may be added to the medium.

As the medium for cultivating the transformants which are obtained by using the animal cells as a host cell, RPM11640 medium and Eagle's MEM medium which are generally used or these culture media containing a fetal bovine serum can be used.

The cultivation of the cells is conducted in the presence of 5% CO₂. The temperature for the cultivation is preferably 35 to 37° C., and the period for the cultivation is usually 3 to 7 days.

L-Proline is suitably added to the media in such a manner that its concentration may be from 5 to 1000 mM, preferably from 20 to 200 mM, whereby the intended L-proline-3-hydroxylases can be produced more efficiently.

Antibiotics such as kanamycin, penicillin or the like may be added to the medium during the cultivation, if required.

A considerable amount of L-proline-3-hydroxylase is produced and accumulated in the thus-cultivated transformants in comparison to the microorganism strain used as the gene source, such as Streptomyces sp. TH1 or the like. Thus, the isolation and purification of the enzyme or the production of cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline from L-proline using the enzyme can be performed far more efficiently in comparison to the production of cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline from L-proline using the non genetically-engineered microorganism as the enzyme source, such as Streptomyces sp. TH1 or the like.

The production of L-proline-3-hydroxylase in the transformants can be carried out by adding the culture, the cells or the treated cells to an aqueous medium suitable for the enzymatic reaction together with L-proline, a divalent iron ion and 2-ketoglutaric acid, and adding a surfactant or an organic solvent, if required, to determine cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline produced. With respect to the activity of the L-proline-3-hydroxylase of which the formation is confirmed in the cell, the activity of the enzyme for producing 1 nmol of cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline for 1 minute under the following conditions is defined as 1 unit (U). The microorganism cells and the animal cells are here called cells.

Measurement of L-proline-3-hydroxylase activity:

The cells, the treated cells or the enzyme preparation are added to 240 mM TES [N-tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid] buffer containing 12 mM L-proline, 24 mM 2-ketoglutaric acid, 4 mM ferrous sulfate and 8 mM L-ascorbic acid to make 250 μl in total. The mixture is kept at 35° C. for 10 minutes. The reaction mixture is heated at 100° C. for 2 minutes to stop the reaction, and the amount of cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline produced in the reaction mixture is determined by HPLC.

For the determination, any method capable of determining the amount of cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline may be employed. For instance, generally usable are (1) a post-column derivatization method and (2) a pre-column derivatization method as mentioned above.

The enzyme may be isolated and purified in a usual manner from the culture of the transformant in which the formation of L-proline-3-hydroxylase is confirmed in the cultivated cell as mentioned above. For instance, the culture broth of the transformant is centrifuged to collect the cultivated cells therefrom, and the cells are washed and then disrupted by an ultrasonic cell disrupter, a French press, a Manton-Gauline homogenizer, a Dyno mill or the like to obtain a cell-free extract. The purified enzyme preparation can be obtained by ammonium sulfate precipitation, anion exchange chromatography such as diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) Sepharose or the like, hydrophobic chromatography such as butyl-Sepharose, phenyl-Sepharose or the like, gel filtration, electrophoresis such as isoelectric point electrophoresis, and so on from the supernatant of the cell-free extract obtained by centrifugation.

The cultivated transformant cells that have been identified to contain the L-proline-3-hydroxylase as formed therein can be cultivated under the same conditions as above, under which the transformant was cultivated, to thereby make the cells produce and accumulate cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline in the cells, and the thus-produced cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline can be collected from the culture to obtain it.

If the transformant cells derived from host cells which have the ability of producing L-proline from saccharide sources and accumulating it in the cultures and where such cells are used, it is possible to produce cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline even if L-proline is not added to the media during the cultivation of the cells therein. However, it is desirable to suitably add to the media L-proline at a concentration of from 5 to 1000 mM, preferably from 20 to 200 mM, whereby the intended L-proline-3-hydroxylases can be produced more efficiently.

If the transformant cells have the ability of producing 2-ketoglutaric acid from saccharide sources and accumulating it in the cultures and where such cells are used, it is possible to produce cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline even if 2-ketoglutaric acid is not added to the media during the cultivation of the cells therein. Where such transformant cells are used, saccharide sources such as glucose, etc. may be suitably added to the media to make the cells produce and accumulate 2-ketoglutaric acid in the cultures, whereby the intended L-proline-3-hydroxylases can be produced more efficiently. Where, on the other hand, transformant cells not having the ability of producing 2-ketoglutaric acid from saccharide sources are used, 2-ketoglutaric acid may be added to the media during the cultivation of the cells, if desired.

If desired, 2-ketoglutaric acid and divalent iron ions may be added to the media during the cultivation of the transformant cells.

To produce cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline, also employable is another method to be mentioned below using, as the enzyme source, the cultures of the transformant cells where the formation of L-proline-3-hydroxylases has been identified, the cells isolated from the cultures, or the products as obtained by processing the cells.

The method to produce cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline is as follows: The cultures of the transformant cells, the cells isolated from the culture, or the products as obtained by processing the cells are added to aqueous media suitable for enzymatic reaction, along with L-proline, divalent iron ions and 2-ketoglutaric acid and optionally with surfactants and organic solvents, thereby converting L-proline into cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline, and thereafter the resulting cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline is collected from the reaction mixtures.

As examples of the processed cells, dried cells, lyophilized cells, surfactant-treated cells, enzymatically-treated cells, ultrasonically-treated cells, mechanically-ground cells, mechanically-compressed cells, solvent-treated cells, fractionated cell proteins, immobilized cells, immobilized materials obtained by processing their cells, etc. can be used. The enzymes preparation obtained by extraction from the cells having L-proline-3-hydroxylase activity, purified products of these enzymes, and immobilized products thereof can also be used.

As examples of the aqueous medium, water, buffers such as phosphates, carbonates, acetates, borates, citrates and tris-buffers, alcohols such as methanol and ethanol, esters such as ethyl acetate, ketones such as acetone, and amides such as acetamide can be mentioned.

As examples of the surfactant, cationic surfactants such as polyoxyethylene-stearylamine (for example, Nymeen S215 produced by Nippon Oils & Fats Co.), cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, Cation FB, Cation F2-40E, etc.; anionic surfactants such as sodium oleylamidosulfate, Newrex TAB, and Rapizole 80.; ampholytic surfactants such as polyoxyethylene-sorbitan monostearate (for example, Nonion ST221) or the like.; and also other tertiary amines PB, hexadecyldimethylamine, etc. can be mentioned. Any and every surfactant that promotes the reaction may be employed. The concentration of the surfactant is usually from 0.1 to 50 mg/liter, preferably from 1 to 20 mg/liter.

As examples of the organic solvent, toluene, xylene, aliphatic alcohols, benzene and ethyl acetate can be mentioned. The concentration of the organic solvent is usually from 0.1 to 50 μl/ml, preferably from 1 to 20 μl/ml.

The reaction may be conducted during the cultivation of the transformant having the activity of L-proline-3-hydroxylase, or may also be conducted after the completion of the cultivation, in the aqueous medium using the cells, the treated cells, the purified enzyme or the crude enzyme prepared from the culture.

The amount of the enzyme added to the reaction mixture is determined depending on the amount of the substrate used. It is usually from 1.0 to 10,000,000 U/liter, preferably from 1,000 to 3,000,000 U/liter. In case of using the cells or the treated cells of the microorganism, the concentration of wet cells is usually from 1 to 300 g/liter.

The reaction is usually conducted at a temperature from 15 to 50° C. at a pH from 6.0 to 9.0 for 1 to 96 hours.

The concentration of L-proline used in the reaction may be from 1 mM to 2 M. L-Proline can be supplied by adding L-proline itself to the reaction mixture, or adding the culture of the microorganism which can produce and accumulate L-proline from sugar source. Further, if a microorganism having the ability of producing L-proline from a sugar source is used as the host microorganism of the transformant, L-proline produced from a sugar source by the host microorganism can be used in the reaction. That is, L-proline produced by the transformant derived from the host microorganism having the ability of producing L-proline is converted into cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline in the culture using L-proline-3-hydroxylase produced by the transformant, whereby cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline can be produced in the culture broth without the addition of L-proline.

The divalent iron ion is required for the reaction. This divalent iron ion is ordinarily used in a concentration of from 1 to 100 mM. Any divalent iron ion can be used so long it does not inhibit the reaction. As examples of the divalent iron ion, sulfates such as ferrous sulfate; chlorides such as ferrous chloride; ferrous carbide; and organic acid salts such as citrates, lactates and fumarates can be mentioned. When the divalent iron ion is contained in the cells, the treated cells or the reaction mixture, the divalent iron is need not be added.

2-Ketoglutaric acid itself may be added to the reaction mixture or may be supplied from a compound which can be converted into 2-ketaglutaric acid by the metabolic activity of the cells or the treated cells used. As examples of such a compound, saccharides such as glucose; amino acids such as glutamic acid; and organic acids such as succinic acid can be mentioned. These compounds may be used singly or in combination.

Cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline is recovered from the culture or the aqueous medium by any ordinary separation method, for example, column chromatography using an ion-exchange resin, etc. by crystallization, etc.

The structure of the thus-recovered cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline can be identified by ordinary analytical method such as ¹³C-NMR spectrum, ¹H-NMR spectrum, mass spectrum, specific rotation or the like.

The cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline produced by the present invention can be determined quantitatively by the above-mentioned post-column derivatization method or pre-column derivatization method.

The present invention is illustrated more specifically by referring to the following Examples.

EXAMPLE 1

(1) Production of Cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline:

SR3 medium comprising 1.0% glucose, 1.0% soluble starch, 0.5% yeast extract, 0.5% tryptone, 0.3% meat extract and 0.05% magnesium phosphate, and adjusted to pH 7.2 with 6N NaOH, was put in test tubes (diameter 25 mm×length 200 mm) in an amount of 10 ml each and sterilized at 120° C. for 20 minutes. One loopful of cells of Streptomyces sp. TH1, that had grown in HT-agar plate medium comprising 1% soluble starch, 0.2% NZ amine, 0.1% yeast extract, 0.1% meat extract and 1.5% agar, adjusted to pH 7.2 with 6N NaOH, and sterilized at 120° C. for 20 minutes, was inoculated into the above-mentioned SR3 medium in each test tube and cultivated at 28° C. for 2 days by shaking. The resulting culture was used as the 1st seed culture in the following step.

SR3 medium was put in 2 liter-Erlenmeyer flasks in an amount of 200 ml each and sterilized at 120° C. for 20 minutes. The above-mentioned 1st seed culture was inoculated in the SR3 medium in each Erlenmeyer flask and cultivated at 28° C. for 2 days by shaking. The resulting culture was used as the 2nd seed culture in the following step.

Df3 medium comprising 5% soluble starch, 3% corn steep liquor, 0.05% potassium dihydrogen phosphate, 0.05% magnesium sulfate 7 hydrate and 0.5% calcium carbonate, and adjusted to pH 7.0 with 6N NaOH, was put in 5 liter-jar fermenters in an amount of 2 liters each and sterilized at 120° C. for 20 minutes. The above-mentioned 2nd seed culture was inoculated in the DF3 medium in each jar fermenter under germ-free condition and cultivated under the condition of 700 rpm and 1 vvm, at 28° C. for 2 days. During the cultivation, the pH of the medium was not adjusted. The thus-obtained culture was subjected to centrifugation at 15,000×g for 10 minutes at 4° C. and 75 g of the wet cells thus separated were obtained per liter of the culture. The wet cells were washed with a physiological saline at 4° C. and then recentrifuged. If desired, the thus-obtained wet cells were frozen and stored at −80° C., and the fozen cells were thawed before use.

One gram of the thus-obtained wet cells was suspended in 10 ml of a reaction mixture (a) [prepared by adding 1.4% (v/v) of Nymeen solution (prepared by dissolving 4 g of Nymeen S-215 (produced by Nippon Oils & Fats Co.) in 10 ml of xylene) to 100 mM TES buffer (pH 7.5) containing 5 mM L-proline, 5 mM 2-ketoglutaric acid, 5 mM L-ascorbic acid and 1 mM ferrous sulfate] and the mixture was allowed to stand at 30° C. for 5 hours.

After the reaction, the cells were removed from the reaction mixture by centrifugation, and the amount of cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline produced in the supernatant was determined.

The determination was carried out by post-column derivatization method with NBD by HPLC under the conditions mentioned below. To identify the intended product, the resulting product was eluted from the column and reacted with NBD in the column line to form its NBD-derivative and the derivative was determined by spectrofluorometry.

Conditions for Determination by HPLC

[1] Apparatus used:

-   -   High Performance Liquid Chromatoigraphy Device (produced by         Shimadzu Seisakusho K.K.)

Chromatopac CR6A System controller SCL-6B Autoinjector SIL-6B Liquid Chromatograph Pump LC-6A Column Oven CTO-6A Chemical Reaction Box CRB-6A Spectrofluorometric Detector RF-550A

[2] Column Used:

-   -   SUMCHIRAL OA5000 (diameter 4.5 mm×length 250 mm, produced by         Sumika Chemical Analysis Service Limited)

[3] Conditions for Analysis:

1) Mobile Phase: aqueous solution of 1 mM copper sulfate 2) Flow Rate 1.0 ml/min of Mobile Phase: 3) Column 38° C. Temperature: 4) Buffer: 0.3 M boric acid buffer (pH 9.6) 25 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid 5) Flow Rate 0.2 ml/min of Buffer: 6) NBD Solution: methanol solution of 0.5 g/liter 7) Flow Rate of 0.5 ml/min NBD Solution: 8) Reaction 60° C. Temperature: 9) Reaction Time: about 3 min 10) Wavelength for excitation wavelength 503 nm Detection: emission wavelength 541 nm 11) Sample: 10 μl

As a result of the determination, it was verified that 910 μM (119 mg/liter) of cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline was produced in the reaction mixture.

(2) Production of Cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline:

Df3 medium was put into a test tube in an amount of 10 ml and sterilized at 120° C. for 20 minutes. One ml of the 1st seed culture obtained in the same manner as in (1) of Example 1 was inoculated in the Df3 medium under germ-free conditions and cultivated at 28° C. for 2 days by shaking. The resulting culture was centrifuged at 8000 rpm and at 4° C. for 10 minutes. The cells thus separated were suspended in 80 mM TES [N-tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid] buffer (pH 7.5), washed and then recentrifuged to separate the wet cells. One gram of the thus-obtained wet cells was suspended in 10 ml of a reaction mixture (a) and the mixture was allowed to stand at 30° C. for 30 minutes. After the reaction, the cells were removed from the reaction mixture by centrifugation, and the amount of cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline formed in the supernatant was quantitatively determined.

As a result of the determination, it was verified that 1710 nM (224 μg/liter) of cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline was produced in the reaction mixture.

EXAMPLE 2

Purification of Cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline:

One hundred gram of the wet cells which were obtained in (1) of Example 1 was suspended in 1 liter of the reaction mixture (a) as described in (1) of Example 1, that had been put in a 2 liter-beaker. The suspension was allowed to stand at 30° C. for 5 hours with stirring.

After the reaction, the cells were removed from the reaction mixture by centrifugation, and cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline produced in the supernatant were determined by the same method as described in (1) of Example 1.

As a result of the determination, it was verified that 809 μM (106 mg/liter) of cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline was produced in the reaction mixture.

The supernatant separated from the reaction mixture was adjusted to pH 4.5, and passed through a column packed with 200 ml of an ion-exchange resin, Diaion SK1B (NH⁴⁺ type, produced by Mitsubishi Kasei Co.). The eluted fractions containing cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline was concentrated under reduced pressure and then passed through a column packed with 20 ml of an ion-exchange resin, Diaion PA412 (OH-type, produced by Mitsubishi Kasei Co.). The eluted fraction containing cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline was concentrated under reduced pressure, and adjusted to pH 9.6, and 10 vol. % of o-phthalaldehyde (OPA) solution (0.075 g of OPA/ml ethanol solution) and 2 vol. % of β-mercaptoethanol solution (10% v/v aqueous solution) were added thereto. The mixture was then allowed to stand at 60° C. for 5 minutes, whereby impurities of primary amino acids contained therein were reacted with OPA. The resulting mixture was passed through a column packed with 10 ml of Sepabeads SP207 (produced by Mitsubishi Kasei Co.), to separate cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline from the impurities of OPA-derivatized primary amino acids. The elued fraction containing cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline was concentrated under reduced pressure and again passed through a column packed with 20 ml of an ion-exchange resin, Diaion PA412 (OH-type, produced by Mitsubishi Kasei Co.) to separate a fraction containing cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline. The final fraction was concentrated and dried to obtain 68 mg of cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline as white crystals. The yield of the product was 63%.

Physicochemical properties of the thus-obtained chemical compound were given below.

Specific rotation: [α]_(D) ²¹=−93.4 (c=0.503, H₂O)

FAB-mass spectrum: 132 (M+H)⁺

¹³C-NMR spectrum (D₂O, 125 MHz) ppm:

-   -   33.9, 44.5, 68.3, 71.6, 171.3

¹H-NMR spectrum (D₂O, 500 MHz) ppm:

-   -   2.18 (1H), 2.27 (1H), 3.52 (1H), 3.62 (1H), 4.18 (1H), 4.77 (1H)

The above-mentioned molecular weight data of its mass spectrum and specific rotation, and the analytical results of its ¹³C-NMR spectrum and ¹H-NMR spectrum were found to be identical as the data as described in the prior art [see J. Biol. Chem., 241, 1300 (1966), J. Antibiotics, 45, 824 (1992)] and the data of cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline which was synthesized according to the methods of the prior art (see Liebigs Ann. Chem., 1881 (1979), Tetrahedron, 42, 2421 (1986)].

EXAMPLE 3

Production of Cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline:

L-proline was hydroxylated by use of Streptomyces canus ATCC 12647, Streptomyces canus ATCC 12646, Bacillus sp. TH2 and Bacillus sp. TH3.

SR3 medium was put in test tubes (diameter 25 mm×length 200 mm) in an amount of 10 ml each and sterilized at 120° C. for 20 minutes. one loopful of cells of each of the microorganisms mentioned above that had grown in HT-agar plate medium was inoculated in the medium in a test tube and cultivated at 28° C. for 2 days by shaking. The resulting culture was used as a seed culture in the following steps.

Separately, Df4 medium comprising 2.5% glycerol, 2.5% glucose, 1.5% soybean meal, 0.05% dipotassium hydrogen phosphate, 0.05% magnesium sulfate 7 hydrate and 0.5% calcium carbonate, and adjusted to pH 7.0 with 6N NaOH, was put in test tubes (diameter 25 mm×length 200 mm) in an amount of 10 ml each and sterilized at 120° C. for 20 minutes. One ml of each of the seed culture obtained above was inoculated in the medium in each test tube under germ-free condition and cultivated at 28° C. for 1 day by shaking. The thus-obtained cultures were subjected to centrifugation at 15,000×g for 10 minutes at 4° C. The cells thus separated were washed with 80 mM TES buffer (pH 7.5) and then recentrifuged respectively. The thus-obtained wet cells were suspended in 1 ml of the reaction mixture (a) as described in (1) of Example 1 respectively and allowed to stand at 30° C. for 3 hours.

As a result, it was verified that 242 μM, 202 μM, 318 μM and 141 μM of cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline were produced in the reaction mixture by use of the strains ATCC12647, ATCC12646, TH2 and TH3 respectively.

EXAMPLE 4

Production of Cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline:

In the same manner as in Example 3 except that Df2 medium comprising 5% soluble starch, 1.5% dry yeast, 0.05% potassium dihydrogen phosphate, 0.05% magnesium sulfate 7 hydrate and 0.5% calcium carbonate and adjusted to pH 7.0 with 6N NaOH, and further containing 0.1% L-proline was used in place of Df4 medium, each of Bacillus sp. TH2 and TH3 were cultivated.

As a result, it was verified that 745 μM (97.6 mg/l) of cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline for the strain TH2 and 327 μM (42.8 mg/l) for strain TH3 were produced in the aqueous medium.

EXAMPLE 5

Isolation and Purification of L-proline-3-hydroxylase:

(1) Preparation of Cell-free Extract:

-   -   Thirty grams of the wet cells obtained in (1) of Example 1 was         suspended in 200 ml of Buffer (A) [20 mM piperazine buffer, pH         was adjusted to 5.3 with 6N HCl, containing 1 mM dithiothreitol         (DTT), 0.2 mM EDTA, 0.1% (v/v) Tween 20 and 10% (v/v) glycerol]         while cooling with ice. The cells in the resulting suspension         was disrupted by means of an ultrasonic cell disrupter while         cooling with ice. The thus-disrupted cell suspension was         subjected to centrifugation at 30,000×g at 4° C. for 30 minutes         to separate a supernatant.

The subsequent operations were conducted under cooling with ice at a temperature of 4° C. or lower.

(2) Isolation and Purification by Column Chromatography:

(2)-1 Acid Treatment

-   -   The pH of the supernatant obtained in the previous step was         adjusted at 4.5 with 6 N HCl, and the precipitate formed was         removed therefrom through centrifugation as conducted at         15,000×g for 30 minutes to obtain a supernatant.

(2)-2 Resource Q Column Chromatography (I):

The supernatant obtained in the previous step was passed through a RESOURCE™ Q column (6 ml; produced by Pharmacia Co.) that had been equilibrated with Buffer (A). The column was washed with Buffer (A), and the fraction containing the desired enzyme was eluted with Buffer (A) having a linear concentration gradient of NaCl of 0 to 0.3M.

(2)-3 Resource Q Column Chromatography (II):

-   -   The active fraction obtained in the previous step was diluted         3-fold with Buffer (B) [20 mM TES buffer (pH7.5) containing 1 mM         DTT, 0.2 mM EDTA and 10% (v/v) of glycerol] and was passed         through a RESOURCE™ Q column (1 ml; produced by Pharmacia Co.)         that had been equilibrated with Buffer (B). After the column was         washed with Buffer (B), the fraction containing the enzyme was         eluted with Buffer (B) having a linear concentration gradient of         NaCl of 0 to 0.3 M.

(2)-4 Phenyl Sepharose Column Chromatography:

-   -   NaCl was added to the active fraction obtained in the previous         step until an NaCl concentration was 2M. The mixture was applied         to a Phenyl Sepharose column (1 ml; Phenyl Sepharose HP HiLoad)         that had been equilibrated with Buffer (B) containing 2M NaCl.         The column was washed with Buffer (B) containing 2M NaCl, and         the fraction containing the desired enzyme was eluted with         Buffer (B) containing 0.1% (v/v) of Tween 20.

(2)-5 Resource Q Column Chromatograph (III):

-   -   The active fraction obtained in the previous step was de-salted         using a PD-10 column (1 ml; produced by Pharmacia Co.), and the         resulting mixture was passed through a RESOURCE™ Q column (1 ml)         that had been equilibrated with Buffer (A). After the column was         washed with Buffer (A), the fraction containing the desired         enzyme was eluted with Buffer (A) having a linear concentration         gradient of NaCl of 0 to 0.3 M.

(2)-6 Resource Q Column Chromatography (IV):

-   -   The active fraction obtained in the previous step was diluted         3-fold with Buffer (B) containing 0.1% (v/v) Tween 20 and passed         through a RESOURCE™ Q column (1 ml; produced by Pharmacia Co.)         that had been equilibrated with Buffer (B). The fraction         containing the desired enzyme was eluted with Buffer B having a         linear concentration gradient of NaCl of 0 to 0.3M.

The foregoing steps for the isolation and purification of the L-proline-3-hydroxylase are summarized in Table 9.

TABLE 9 Summary of Isolation and Purification of L-proline-3-Hydroxylase Total Total Relative Protein Activity Activity Yield Fraction (mg) (U) (U/mg protein) (%) Cell-free 542 3540 6.5 100 Extract Acid-treatment 106 1800 17 56 Supernatant, pH 4.5 Resource Q(I), 7.5 1553 207 44 pH 5.3 Resource Q(II), 3.3 1036 306 29 pH 7.5 Phenyl- 0.43 188 437 5.3 Sepharose Resource 0.16 90.5 566 2.6 Q(III), pH 5.3 Resource Q(IV), 0.035 60.3 1723 1.7 pH 7.5

EXAMPLE 6

Properties of L-proline-3-Hydroxylase:

(1) Analysis by Electrophoresis:

-   -   The purified enzyme preparation obtained in Example 5 was         analyzed by sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel         electrophoresis, using polyacrylamide gel PAGEL NPU-12.5L         produced by Atto Co. and SDS-PAGE Molecular Weight Standard,         Broad Range produced by Biorad Co. As a result, it was verified         that the enzyme was composed of almost homogeneous sub-units         having a molecular weight of approximately 35,000±5,000 daltons.

(2) Properties of the Enzyme:

-   -   Using the reaction mixture mentioned below, the enzyme was         subjected to the substrate omission and addition tests, by which         the compounds indispensable to the enzyme reaction for         hydroxylating L-proline at the 3-position of L-proline, the         promoters for the enzyme reaction and the inhibitors against the         enzyme reaction were investigated.

The reaction mixture was composed of 100 mM TES buffer (pH 7.0), 5 mM L-proline, 5 mM2-ketoglutaricacid, 1 mM ferrous sulfate, 5 mM L-ascorbic acid and a predetermined amount of the pure enzyme, the total volume being 100 μl. The reaction was initiated by addition of the enzyme and continued for 10 minutes at 35° C. The reaction was stopped by heating the reaction mixture at 100° C. for 2 minutes. The amount of cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline formed in the reaction mixture was determined by the pre-column derivatization method using HPLC. One hundred microliters of 0.3 M boric acid buffer (pH 10.7), 4 μl of an aqueous solution of 10% (v/v) mercaptoethanol and 16 μl of ethanol solution of 5% (w/v) OPA were added to 100 μl of the reaction mixture, and the mixture was allowed to stand at 60° C. for 30 seconds. In addition, 50 μl of ethanol solution of 2% (w/v) NBD was added thereto and the mixture was allowed to stand at 60° C. for 40 minutes. The reaction was stopped by adding 30 μl of 1 N HCl to the reaction mixture, and the precipitates formed were removed therefrom by centrifugation and filtration. The cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline formed by the reaction was quantitatively determined by HPLC analysis.

The HPLC was carried out for the determination under the following conditions:

Mobile Phase: 10 mM Citric Acid (pH 4.0)/Methanol=3/1 (v/v)

Flow Rate: 1 ml/min

Column:YMC Pack ODS AQ-312 (produced by YMC Co., 6×150 mm)

Column Temperature: 50° C.

Detection: Fluorophotometry (excitation wavelength: 503 nm, emission wavelength: 541 nm)

The test results verified that L-proline, 2-ketoglutaric acid and Fe⁺⁺ ion are indispensable for the enzyme reaction for hydroxylating L-proline at the 3-position of L-proline, that L-ascorbic acid promotes the enzyme reaction and that Zn⁺⁺, Cu⁺⁺, Co⁺⁺, Ba⁺⁺ and EDTA inhibit the reaction.

The test results are shown in Table 10.

TABLE 10 Investigation of Components Influencing Enzyme Reaction of L-Proline-3-Hydroxylase Components in Added (+)²⁾ Relative Reaction Mixture Not Added (−) Activity³⁾ Basic Reaction 100 Mixture¹⁾ −Pure Enzyme 0 −L-Proline 0 −2-Ketoglutaric Acid 0 −Fe⁺⁺ 0 −L-Ascorbic Acid 25 +2 mM EDTA 5 +1 mm Zn⁺⁺ 0 +1 mm Cu⁺⁺ 4 +1 mm Co⁺⁺ 13 +1 mm Ba⁺⁺ 42 ¹⁾The standard reaction mixture was composed of 100 mM TES buffer (pH 7.0), 5 mM L-proline, 5 mM 2-ketoglutaric acid, 1 mM ferrous sulfate, 5 mM L-ascorbic acid and a pre-determined amount of the pure enzyme, the total volume being 100 μ1. The reaction was carried out at 35° C. for 10 minutes. ²⁾“(+)” means that the reaction mixture contained the component shown in the table. “(−)” means that the reaction mixture did not contain the component shown in the table. The concentration shown in the table means the concentration of the component in the reaction mixture. ³⁾The activity is indicated as the relative activity to the activity in the standard reaction mixture being defined as 100.

(3) Optimum pH Range:

-   -   In the above-mentioned method of determining the enzymatic         activity of the L-proline-3-hydroxylase, the reaction was         carried out while the buffer component in the reaction mixture         was changed to MES buffer [2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid]         at pH of 5.5 to 6.5, it was changed to PIPES buffer         [piperazine-N,N′-bis(2-ethanesulfonic acid)] at pH of 6.5 to         7.5, it was changed to TES buffer at pH of 7.0 to 8.0, and it         was changed to TAPS buffer         (N-tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl-3-aminopropanesulfonic acid] at pH         of 8.0 to 9.0. As a result, the enzyme had an activity of more         than 80% of the maximum activity thereof at pH ranging from pH         6.5 to 7.5. The detailed test results are shown in Table 11         below.

TABLE 11 Optimum pH Range for the Enzyme Reaction pH (buffer) Relative Activity¹⁾ 5.5 (MES) 15.0 6.0 (MES) 70.9 6.5 (PIPES) 83.3 7.0 (PIPES) 92.1 7.0 (TES) 100.0 7.5 (PIPES) 80.4 7.5 (TES) 85.0 8.0 (TES) 72.2 8.0 (TAPS) 76.3 8.5 (TAPS) 52.9 9.0 (TAPS) 44.5 ¹⁾The activity is indicated as a relative activity to the maximum activity being defined as 100.

(4) Stable pH Range:

-   -   The enzyme solution in Buffer (B) was diluted 3-fold with 100 mM         of a buffer (MES buffer at pH of 5.5 to 6.5, PIPES buffer at pH         of 6.1 to 7.5, TES buffer at pH of 7.0 to 8.0, TAPS buffer at pH         of 8.0 to 9.0), kept at 4° C. for 23 hours, and then its         activity was determined. The enzyme kept at pH ranging from 6.5         to 8.0 had an activity of 80% or more of the original activity         of the enzyme before the test. Accordingly, the enzyme was kept         stable at pH ranging from 6.5 to 8.0.

(5) Optimum Temperature Range:

-   -   In the above-mentioned of determining the enzyme activity of the         L-proline-3-hydroxylase, the reaction was carried out at a         temperature ranging from 15 to 50° C. for 15 minutes. As a         result, the enzyme had an activity of 80% or more of the maximum         activity thereof at temperatures ranging from 35 to 40° C. The         detailed test results are shown in Table 12 below.

TABLE 12 Optimum Temperature Range for the Enzyme Reaction Reaction Relative Temperature (° C.) Activity¹⁾ 15 19 20 29 25 53 30 74 35 100 40 89 45 64 50 28 ¹⁾The Activity is indicated as a relative activity to the maximum activity of being defined as 100.

(6) Stable Temperature Range:

-   -   The enzyme was kept in Buffer (B) at temperatures ranging from 0         to 60° C. for 30 minutes and thereafter the activity of the         enzyme was determined. As a result, the enzyme was inactivated         at 50° C. or higher for 30 minutes.

(7) Km Value;

-   -   The Km value is 0.49 mM for L-proline and is 0.11 mM for         2-ketoglutaric acid, when determined in a TES buffer (pH 7.0)         containing 5 mM L-ascorbic acid, 1 mM ferrous sulfate and a         pre-determined amount of this enzyme.

(8) Isoelectric Point:

-   -   The enzyme was analyzed, using Phast system (produced by         Pharmacia Co.), to determine the isoelectric point of the         enzyme. As a result, the isoelectric point of the enzyme was         4.3.

(9) N-terminal Amino Acid Sequence:

-   -   The enzyme was analyzed, using Protein Sequencer Model PPSQ-10         (produced by Shimadzu Seisakusho K.K.), to determine the         N-terminal amino acid sequence of the enzyme. The result is as         follows:

SEQ ID NO.: 5: (N-terminal) 1 MetArgSerHisIleLeuGlyArgIleGlu 11 LeuAspGlnGluArgLeuGlyArgAspLeu 21 GluTyrLeuAlaThrValProThrVal

EXAMPLE 7

Production of Cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline:

The enzyme reaction by use of purified L-proline-3-hydroxylase obtained in Example 5 was carried out. The reaction mixture was composed of 200 mM TES buffer (pH 7.0), 20 mM L-proline, 20 mM 2-ketoglutarate, 5 mM L-ascorbic acids 1 mM, ferrous sulfate, and 106 U of purified enzyme preparation, the total volume being 100 μl. The reaction was carried out at 35° C. for 30 minutes. As a result of the reaction, 18 mM (2.4 g/l) of cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline was produced in the reaction mixture.

EXAMPLE 8

Preparation of partial DNA fragment of the gene encoding L-proline-3-hydroxylase protein derived from Streptomyces sp. TH1:

(1) Isolation of Chromosomal DNA of Streptomyces sp. TH1:

-   -   Chromosomal DNA of Streptomyces sp. TH1 was isolated in the         usual manner as follows. SK#2 medium (comprising 0.25% glucose,         1.0% soluble starch, 0.25% yeast extract, 0.25% peptone, 0.15%         meat extract, 0.01% potassium dihydrogen phosphate and 0.03%         magnesium sulfate, and adjusted to a pH 7.6 with 6 N NaOH)         containing 5% mannitol and 0.05% glycine, was put in test tubes         in an amount of 10 ml each, and sterilized at 120° C. for 20         minutes. One loopful of cells of Streptomyces sp. TH1 which had         grown in TH-agar plate medium was inoculated in the         above-mentioned SK#2 medium, and cultivated at 28° C. for 3 days         with shaking.

The culture was centrifuged, and the obtained cells were washed with 10 ml of a 10.3% sucrose solution, and suspended in 6 ml of TS comprising 10.3% sucrose, 50 mM tris-HCl (pH 8.0) and 25 mM EDTA. One milliliter of a lysozyme solution (50 mg/ml·TS) was added thereto, and the mixture was incubated at 37° C. for 60 minutes. Subsequently, 0.6 ml of a Proteinase K (produced by Sigma Co.) solution (2 mg/ml-TS) was added to the lysozyme-treated solution, and gently stirred. Further, 3.6 ml of a 3.3% (w/v) SDS solution was added thereto while gently mixing, and the mixture was incubated at 37° C. for 60 minutes. The mixture was heated at 50° C. for 30 minutes, and then cooled with water. An equal amount of TE [containing 10 mM tris-HCl (pH 8.0) and 1 mM EDTA] saturated phenol-chloroform (1/1, v/v) was added thereto, and the mixed solution was moderately shaked for 30 minutes. After the centrifugation, the upper layer was taken, and again subjected to extraction with the mixture of TE saturated phenol-chloroform. The extract was centrifuged, and an equal amount of chloroform was then added to the upper layer, and mixed. The mixture was recentrifuged. The upper layer was taken, and 20 μl of an RNase A aqueous solution (10 mg/ml) heat-treated at 100° C. for 10 minutes were added to the upper layer. The mixture was incubated at 37° C. for 45 minutes. To the RNase A-treated solution were added 1/10 volume of a 5 M NaCl aqueous solution and ¼ volume of 50% PEG6000, and gently mixed. The mixture was allowed to stand overnight while being cooled with ice. After the mixed solution was centrifuged at 12,000 rpm for 10 minutes, the supernatant was discarded completely, and the precipitate was dissolved in 5 ml of TE. After 1/10 volume of a 3 M sodium acetate solution and 1/30 volume of a 66 mM magnesium chloride solution were added thereto and mixed, 2.2 volumes of cold ethanol were added, and gently mixed. After the mixed solution was centrifuged at 10,000 rpm for 10 minutes, the supernatant was discarded, and the precipitate was washed twice with 70% cold ethanol. The precipitate containing 250 μg of chromosomal DNA was dissolved in TE and used in the subsequent experiment as chromosomal DNA.

(2) Determination of Partial Amino Acid Sequence of Streptomyces sp. TH1-derived L-proline-3-hydroxylase Protein:

The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified enzyme obtained in Example 5 was sequenced, using Protein Sequencer Model PPSQ-10(produced by Shimadzu Seisakusho Co.), to determine the N-terminal amino acid sequence thereof as indicated by SEQ ID NO.: 5.

Furthermore, the purifed enzyme obtained in Example 5 was treated with lysyl endopeptidase in 0.1 M Tris-HCI with 4 M urea (pH 9), at 37° C. for 6 hours, and the thus-obtained peptide fragments were collected through HPLC. Their amino acid sequences were also analyzed in the same manner as above to determine the partial amino acid sequences as indicated by. SEQ ID NOs.: 6 and 7.

(3) Preparation of Partial DNA of L-proline-3-hydroxylase Gene:

A sense chain mix DNA primer as indicated by SEQ ID NO.: 8, which corresponds to the sequence of from the 1st to 6th amino acids in the amino acid sequence as indicated by SEQ ID NO.: 5, and an anti-sense chain mix DNA primer as indicated by SEQ ID NO.: 9, which corresponds to the sequence of from the 24th to 28th amino acids in the amino acid sequence as indicated by SEQ ID NO.: 5, were synthesized, using 380A DNA Synthesizer (produced by Applied Biosystems Co.).

Using the above-synthesized DNAs as primers and the Streptomyces sp. TH1 chromosome DNA as template, the PCR was conducted using DNA Thermal Cycler 480 (produced by Perkin Elmer Cetus Co.).

The reaction was conducted using 20 μl of a reaction mixture having the following formulation.

Formulation of the reaction mixture:

-   -   21 ng/μl of Streptomyces sp. TH1 chromosome DNA,     -   10 μM of sense chain mix DNA primer,     -   10 μM of anti-sense chain mix DNA primer,     -   0.125 U/μl of Pfu DNA polymerase         -   (produced by STRATAGENE Co.),     -   10% of DMSO,     -   20 mM of Tris-HCl (pH 8.2),     -   10 mM of KCl,     -   6 mM of ammonium sulfate,     -   2 mM of magnesium chloride,     -   0.1% of Triton X-100, and     -   10 ng/μl of bovine serum albumin.

After the completion of an incubation at 95° C. for 5 minutes, a three step incubation, namely at 95° C. for 0.5 minute, at 25° C. for 0.5 minute and at 75° C. for 1 minute was repeated for a total of 40 times. The reaction mixture was subjected to electrophoresis with 15% polyacrylamide gel (PAGEL NPU-15L produced by Atto Co.), and the amplified 83 bp DNA was recovered using da Vinci Kun (Pen Touch Recovery NB-7000 Model) manufactured by Nippon Eido K.K.

Using the recovered DNA fragment (83 bp) as a template, the sense strand mix DNA primer indicated in SEQ ID NO.: 8 as a primer and the anti-sense strand mix DNA primer indicated in SEQ ID NO.: 10 corresponding to amino acids Nos. 21st to 25th of an amino acid sequence indicated in Sequence No. 5 as a primer, the PCR was conducted again in the same manner, and the amplified 74 bp DNA was recovered. The thus-recovered DNA fragment was inserted into a Sma I site of pUC18 using Sure Clone Ligation Kit (produced by Pharmacia Co.), and the nucleotide sequence was determined by a nucleotide sequencing kit (Taq DyeDeoxy™ Terminator Cycle Sequencing Kit produced by Applied Biosystems).

The nucleotide sequences thus determined are indicated by SEQ ID NOs.: 11 and 12. Thus, the two nucleotide sequences were determined. The amino acid sequence to be presumed from the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.:. 11 completely corresponded to the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the pure enzyme as indicated by SEQ ID NO.: 1, except for the 2nd amino acid that could not be identified in the sequencing of the N-terminal amino acid sequence. The amino acid sequence to be presumed from the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 12 exhibited high homology to the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the pure enzyme as indicated by SEQ ID NO.: 5.

EXAMPLE 9

Cloning of a DNA fragment containing L-proline-3-hydroxylase gene:

(1) Preparation of a Digoxigeniated (DIGated) Probe:

-   -   The two 74 bp fragments obtained in (3) of Example 8 and         indicated by SEQ ID NOs.: 11 and 12 each were inserted into the         Sma I site of pUCI18. Using each of these two plasmids thus         obtained as a template, each plasmid was subjected to PCR in the         same manner as in (3) of Example 8, using 50 μl of a reaction         mixture containing 10 μM of the sense chain synthetic DNA as         indicated by SEQ ID NO.: 8 and 10 μM of the anti-sense chain         synthetic DNA as indicated by SEQ ID NO.: 10. The resulting         reaction mixture each were subjected to 12.5 % polyacrylamide         gel electrophoresis to identify the formation of an amplified 74         bp fragment. From each gel, the amplified fragment was recovered         in the same manner as in (3) of Example 8.

The 74 bp fragment was digoxigeniated (DIGated), using PCR DIG Labeling Kit (produced by Boehringer Mannheim Co.).

Using each of the thus-recovered two 74 bp fragments as a template, each fragment was subjected to PCR, using 2.5 U of Pfu DNA polymerase (produced by STRATAGENE Co.), 5 μl of 510 buffer for Pfu DNA polymerase (produced by STRATAGENE Co.), 5 μl of DMSO, 5 μl of 510 PCR DIG mix (produced by Boehringer Mannheim Co.) and 50 μl of a reaction mixture comprising 10 μM of the sense chain synthetic DNA of SEQ ID NO.: 8 and 10 μM of the anti-sense chain synthetic DNA of SEQ ID NO.: 10.

After the incubation at 95° C. for 5 minutes, the step of the incubation at 95° C. for 0.5 minute, at 50° C. for 0.5 minute and at 75° C. for 1 minute was repeated 40 times. After the reaction, each reaction mixture was subjected to 12.5% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to identify the formation of an amplified 74 bp fragment. From each gel, was recovered the amplified fragment in the same manner as in (3) of Example 8. The resulting two amplified fragments were used as probes. The probe derived from the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 11 is referred to as probe A, and that from the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 12as probe B.

(2) Southern Hybridization:

-   -   Twenty units of a restriction enzyme Pst I (produced by Takara         Shuzo Co., LTD) was added to 20 μg of Streptomyces sp. TH1         chromosome DNA and reacted at 37° C. for 2 hours to cleave the         DNA, which was then subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis.         Using the probe A as obtained in (1) of Example 9, Southern         hybridization was conducted with DIG Luminescent Detection Kit         (produced by Boehringer Mannheim Co.) according to the method as         described in the description attached to the kit.

Precisely, after the completion of the agarose gel electrophoresis, the gel was gently shaken in 0.25 N HCl for 20 minutes and then blotted onto Hybond-N⁺ membrane (produced by Amersham Co.) in 0.4 M sodium hydroxide solution, while being sucked at 7.5 mmHg using Genopirator Pump AE-6680P (produced by ATTO Co.) and Genopirator AE-6680C (produced by ATTO Co.). The thus-blotted membrane was dried in air. The resulting membrane was dipped in 10 ml of a hybridization buffer of DIG Luminescent Detection Kit [comprising 50% v/v of formamide, 2% of a blocking reagent, 0.1% w/v of N-laurylsarcosine and 0.02% w/v of SDS in x5 SSC (×1 SSC is comprised of 150 mM sodium chloride and 15 mM sodium citrate)] at 42° C. for 1 hour and thereafter dipped in a probe solution [prepared by adding 3 μl of the probe A as obtained in (1) of Example 9 to 200 μl of the hybridization buffer, then heating the mixture at 95° C. for 2 hours and thereafter adding thereto the hybridization buffer until the total volume was 1.5 ml], at 42° C. overnight. The thus-obtained membrane was washed twice each with 25 ml of ×2 SSC containing 0.1% of SDS for 5 minutes at room temperature and then twice each with 25 ml of ×0.1 SSC containing 0.1% of SDS for 15 minutes at 68° C.

After this, the membrane was treated with a washing buffer [buffer 1 (0.1 M maleic acid, 0.15 M sodium chloride, pH 7.5) containing 0.3% w/v of Tween-20] for 1 to 5 minutes at room temperature, then with 50 ml of buffer 2 (buffer 1 containing 1% of a blocking reagent) for 30 minutes at room temperature, then with 10 ml of buffer 2 containing 1 μl of anti-digoxigenin-AP Fab for 30 minutes at room temperature, then twice each with 50 ml of buffer 2 for 30 minutes at room temperature, then with 10 ml of buffer 3 (0.1 M Tris-HCl, 0.1 M sodium chloride, 50 mM magnesium chloride, pH 9.5) for from 2 to 5 minutes at room temperature, and then with 5 ml of buffer 3 containing 50 μl of Lumigen PPD for 5 minutes at room temperature, in that order. Subsequently, water was removed from the film quickly over a filter paper, then the film was wrapped with a wrapping film, Saran Wrap (poly vinylidene chloride film) and thereafter allowed to stand at 37° C. for 15 minutes. Using Hyperfilm ECL (produced by Amersham Co.), the resulting film was exposed at room temperature for 30 minutes.

A DNA fragment strongly hybridized with the probe and was detected at the position of approximately 6 kb.

The same process as in (2) of Example 9 was repeated, while using the probe B as obtained in (1) of Example 9 and while using 20 U of a restriction enzyme KpnI (produced by Takara Shuzo Co., LTD) in place of the restriction enzyme PstI. As a result, a DNA fragment as strongly hybridized with the probe was detected at the position of approximately 5 kb.

(3) Fractionation of Chromosome DNA:

-   -   Twenty units of a restriction enzyme PstI (produced by Takara         Shuzo Co., LTD) was added to 20 μg of Streptomyces sp. TH1         chromosome DNA and the mixture was allowed to stand at 37° C.         for 2 hours to cleave the DNA, which was then mixed with the         same amount, as that of the reaction mixture, of TE-saturated         phenol/chloroform. The resulting mixture was centrifuged, and         the upper layer was taken out. To the layer was added 2.2 times         volume of cold ethanol and then gently mixed. This mixture was         centrifuged at 10,000 rpm for 10 minutes, the supernatant was         removed, and the precipitate was washed twice with 70% cold         ethanol to obtain an ethanol precipitate. The process of         obtaining the ethanol precipitate by using TE-saturated         phenol/chloroform and cold ethanol is hereinafter referred to as         an ethanol precipitation. The ethanol precipitate was dissolved         in 120 μl of TE and subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis.         After the completion of the electrophoresis, a DNA fraction at         approximately 6 kb was extracted from the agarose gel and         purified by the use of Prep-A-Gene (produced by Biorad Co.).         Thus approximately 0.5 μg of a PstI-cleaved chromosome DNA         fraction was obtained.

The same process as in (3) of Example 9 was repeated, except using 20 U of a restriction enzyme KpnI in place of PstI. Thus was obtained approximately 0.5 μg of a KpnI-cleaved chromosome DNA fraction at approximately 5 kb.

(4) Formation of Plasmid Library:

-   -   1) After 1 μg of pBluescriptII KS(+) (produced by STRATAGENE         Co.) was cleaved with restriction enzyme PstI (produced by         Takara Shuzo Co., LTD) and then dephosphorylated with an         alkaline phosphatase (derived from calf intestines) (produced by         Takara Shuzo Co., LTD) in accordance with the method described         in the description attached to the product. After the completion         of the reaction, the reaction mixture was subjected to the         ethanol precipitation to obtain an ethanol precipitate. The         precipitate was dissolved in 5 μl of TE. The thus-obtained,         PstI-cleaved pBluescriptII KS(+) DNA was reacted with 0.1 μg of         PstI-cleaved chromosome DNA as obtained in (3) of Example 9,         using a ligation kit (TAKARA Ligation Kit, produced by Takara         Shuzo Co., LTD), for 2.5 hours at 26° C., whereby the two DNAs         were ligated to each other. Using the thus-ligated DNA, E. coli         XL2-Blue was transformed in a usual manner. The resulting         transformant were spread on LB-agar medium containing 50 μg/ml         of ampicillin and cultivated thereon overnight at 37° C. to         obtain about 240 colonies.     -   2) After 1 μg of pBluescriptII KS(+) (produced by STRATAGENE         Co.) was cleaved with a restriction enzyme KpnI (produced by         Takara Shuzo Co., LTD), dephosphorylation was conducted with an         alkaline phosphatase (derived from calf intestines) (produced by         Takara Shuzo Co., LTD) in accordance with the method described         in the description attached to the product. After the completion         of the reaction, the reaction mixture was subjected to the         ethanol precipitation to obtain an ethanol precipitate. The         precipitate was dissolved in 5 μl of TE. The thus-obtained,         KpnI-cleaved pBluescriptII KS(+) DNA was reacted with 0.1 μg of         KpnI-cleaved chromosome DNA as obtained in (3) of Example 9,         using a ligation kit (TAKARA Ligation Kit, produced by Takara         Shuzo Co., LTD), for 2.5 hours at 26° C., whereby the two DNAs         were ligated to each other. Using the thus-ligated DNA, E. coli         XL2-Blue was transformed in a usual manner. The resulting         transformant were spread on LB-agar medium containing 50 μg/ml         of ampicillin and cultivated thereon overnight at 37° C. to         obtain about 200 colonies.

(5) Selection of Intended Clone:

-   -   The colonies having the desired clone was selected from the         above-obtained colonies as follows.

Precisely, the colonies appearing on the LB-agar medium were transferred onto a nylon membrane (Nytran, produced by Schleicher & Schuell Co.) that has been previously washed with ×5 SSC, and the membrane was put on filter paper immersed with 0.5 M NaOH for 5 minutes. Subsequently, the film was put on filter paper immersed with 1.0 M Tris-HCl (pH 8.0) for 5 minutes and then on filter paper immersed with 1.5 M sodium chloride-1.0 M Tris-HCl (pH 8.0) for 5 minutes. After the film was lightly washed with ×2 SSC, then crosslinking was conducted by exposure to ultraviolet rays (120 mJ/cm²). Then the surface of the film was wiped with ×2 SSC containing 0.1% of SDS, and the membrane was dried in air.

Using the DIGated probes as obtained in (1) of Example 9, positive colonies were detected on the membrane in accordance with the process as described in (2) of Example 9 using DIG Luminescent Detection Kit (produced by Boehringer Mannheim Co.).

Precisely, by the colony hybridization between about 240 colonies as obtained in 1) of Example 9 (4) and the probe A as obtained in (1) of Example 9, one positive colony having the intended clone was detected. By the colony hybridization between about 200 colonies as obtained in 2) of Example 9 (4) and the probe B as obtained in (1) of Example 9, five positive colonies each having the intended clone were detected.

From these colonies, plasmids were extracted in a usual manner. Thus were obtained pTH30, pTH71 and pTH75.

The structures of the plasmids were identified through digestion with restriction enzymes. The structure of pTH30 was such that a PstI-cleaved DNA fragment of approximately 6 kb was inserted into the PstI site of pBluescriptII KS(+) (see FIG. 1); while the structures of pTH71 and pTH75 were such that a KpnI-cleaved DNA fragment of approximately 5 kb was inserted into the KpnI site of pBluescriptII KS(+) in the opposite directions (see FIG. 2).

(6) Determination of Base Sequence:

-   -   1) Using a deletion kit for kilosequences (produced by Takara         Shuzo Co., LTD), plasmid pTH30 was processed to give various         deletion mutant plasmids. The reagents and the process as         indicated in the description attached to the kit were employed.         The nucleotide sequences of the deletion plasmids were analyzed,         using a base sequencing kit (Taq DyeDeoxy™ Terminator Cycle         Sequencing Kit, produced by Applied Biosystems Co.), and the         nucleotide sequence of 1081 b Kpnl-EcoRl fragment as indicated         by SEQ ID NO.: 13 was identified.

In the nucleotide sequence thus identified, the nucleotide sequence indicated by SEQ ID NO.: 3 that codes for the protein composed of 290 amino acid residues indicated by SEQ ID NO.: was present.

-   -   The amino acid sequence comprises the N-terminal amino acid         sequence indicated by SEQ ID NO.: 5, which corresponded to the         sequence of the pure L-proline-3-hydroxylase, and the internal         amino acid sequences indicated by SEQ ID NOs.: 6 and 7, which         revealed the existence of the intended L-proline-3-hydroxylase         gene in the Pstl fragment of approximately 6 kb obtained         hereinabove. The gene is hereinafler referred to as         L-proline-3-hydroxylase I-type gene.

2) The nucleotide sequence of the Streptomyces-derived insertion fragment terminal in each of plasmids pTH71 and pTH75 was analyzed, using a base sequencing kit (Taq DyeDeoxy™ Terminator Cycle Sequencing Kit, produced by Applied Biosystems Co.). On the basis of the thus-sequenced nucleotide sequence, a sequencing primer was synthesized using 380A Model DNA Synthesizer (produced by Applied Biosystems Co.). Using the primer, the nucleotide sequence of a part of each of pTH71 and pTH75 existing downstream from the Streptomyces-derived insertion fragment was analyzed. On the basis of the thus-sequenced nucleotide sequence, another sequencing primer was synthesized. Using the primer, a part of each of the plasmids existing further downstream was analyzed. The base sequencing operation comprising the above-mentioned steps was repeated, by which the NruI-KpnI fragment of 1826 bp was sequenced as in SEQ ID NO.: 14.

The nucleotide sequence of the fragment thus sequenced comprised the nucleotide sequence indicated by SEQ ID NO.: 4 that codes for the protein composed of 290 amino acid residues as indicated by SEQ ID NO.: 2. The nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.: 4 comprised the nucleotide sequence indicated by SEQ ID NO.: 12. The nucleotide sequence indicated by SEQ ID NO.: 4 was homologous at 78.5% to the L-proline-3-hydroxylase I-type gene. The gene indicated by SEQ ID NO.: 4 is hereinafter referred to as L-proline-3-hydroxylase II-type gene.

EXAMPLE 10

Construction of L-proline-3-hydroxylase Expression Plasmid:

(1) Construction of L-proline-3-hydroxylase I-type Gene Expression Plasmid:

Plasmid pTH30 as obtained in Example 9 was cleaved with a restriction enzyme EcoRI, and then self-ligated using a ligation kit (produced by Takara Shuzo Co., LTD). E. coli XL1-Blue MRF′ strain was transformed with the DNA resulting from the self-ligation in a usual manner. A plasmid was extracted from the transformant in a usual manner, and the structure of the plasmid was identified through digestion with restriction enzyme.

As a result of the above, obtained was plasmid pTH40, from which had been removed the EcoRI fragment of approximately 3 kb existing in the 3′-side of L-proline-3-hydroxylase gene (see FIG. 4).

Subsequently, plasmid pTH40 was cleaved with KpnI and SmaI, then a fragment of approximately 0.95 kbp containing L-proline-3-hydroxylase I-type gene was identified through agarose gel electrophoresis, and the fragment was recovered from the agarose gel in a usual manner. The KpnI-SmaI-cleaved fragment was inserted into the KpnI-SmaI-cleaved site of pBluescriptII KS(+), using a ligation kit (produced by Takara Shuzo Co., LTD). With the resulting DNA, E. coli XL1-Blue MRF′ strain was transformed in a usual manner. The resulting transformant was spread on LB-agar medium containing 50 μg/ml of ampicillin and cultivated thereon overnight at 37° C. A plasmid was extracted from the colonies of the transformant thus grown in a usual manner, and its structure was identified through digestion with restriction enzyme.

As a result of the above, obtained was plasmid pTH50, into which had been inserted the DNA fragment coding for L-proline-3-hydroxylase I-type gene in the same direction as that for transcription of lac promoter (see FIG. 3).

(2) Construction of L-proline-3-hydroxylase II-type Gene Expression Plasmid:

-   -   Plasmid pTH75 as obtained in Example 9 was cleaved with         restriction enzymes NruI and SacI, and thus-cleaved fragment of         approximately 1900 bp containing L-proline-3-hydroxylase II-type         gene was recovered through agarose gel electrophoresis. The         NruI-SacI-cleaved fragment was inserted into the         HincII-SacI-cleaved site of pBluescriptII KS(+), using a         ligation kit (produced by Takara Shuzo Co., LTD). With the         resulting DNA, E. coli XL2-Blue MRF′ strain was transformed in a         usual manner. The resulting transformant was spread on LB-agar         medium containing 50 μg/ml of ampicillin and cultivated thereon         overnight at 37° C. A plasmid was extracted from the colonies of         the transformant thus grown in a usual manner, and its structure         was identified through digestion with restriction enzyme.

As a result of the above, obtained was plasmid pEX1-5, into which had been inserted the DNA fragment coding for L-proline-3-hydroxylase II-type gene in the direction same as that for transcription of lac promoter (see FIG. 4).

EXAMPLE 11

Production of L-proline-3-hydroxylase by Transformants:

(1) Production of L-proline-3-hydroxylase by Transformant Having L-proline-3-hydroxylase I-type Gene:

E. coli ATCC12435 was transformed with plasmid pTH50 as obtained in Example 10. The resulting transformant was inoculated in 3 ml of an LB medium containing 50 μg/ml of ampicillin and cultivated therein overnight at 30° C. by shaking. The resulting culture was centrifuged. If desired, the thus-obtained wet cells were frozen and stored at −20° C., and the fozen cells were thawed before use.

Added to 250 μl of a reaction mixture [containing 12 mM L-proline, 24 mM 2-ketoglutaric acid, 4 mM ferrous sulfate and 8 mM L-ascorbic acid in 200 mM TES buffer (pH 7.5)] at 4% (w/v) in terms of the wet cells, and the mixture was allowed to stand for 10 minutes at 35° C. The reaction mixture was heated at 100° C. for 2 minutes to stop the reaction.

The resulting reaction mixture was centrifuged, and 100 μl of 0.3 M borate buffer (pH 10.7), 4 μl of 10% (v/v) mercaptoethanol aqueous solution and 16 μl of 5% (w/v) OPA in ethanol were added to 100 μl of the resulting supernatant and left at 60° C. for 30 seconds, and then 50 μl of 2% (w/v) NBD in ethanol was added thereto. The mixture was allowed to stand at 60° C. for 40 minutes. Then 30 μl of 1 N hydrochloric acid was added to the reaction mixture to stop the reaction. The resulting reaction mixture was centrifuged and filtered through a filter to remove the precipitate therefrom, and the resulting filtrate was analyzed through HPLC by which the product cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline produced was quantitatively determined.

HPLC was conducted under the following conditions.

Mobile Phase: 10 mM citric acid (pH 4.0)/methanol=3/1 (v/v).

Flow Rate: 1 ml/min.

Column: YMC Pack ODS AQ-312 (produced by YMC Co., 6×150 mm).

Column Temperature: 50° C.

Detection: fluorophotometry

-   -   excitation wavelength: 503 nm     -   emission wavelength: 541 nm.

As is shown in Table 13 below, the transformant E. coli ATCC12435/pTH50 produced L-proline-3-hydroxylase more by approximately 34 times/cell than the Streptomyces sp. TH1 strain which had been used as the gene source.

TABLE 13 L-proline-3-hydroxylase Activity Produced by Transformant Cell Relative Strain Activity¹⁾ Activity²⁾ E. coli ATCC12435/pTH50 1.94 34.0 E. coli ATCC12435/pBluescriptII Not — KS(+) detected. Streptomyces sp. TH1³⁾ 0.057 1 ¹⁾Cell activity indicates the enzymatic activity per mg of wet cells (U/mg wet cells). One U indicates the enzymatic activity of producing 1 nmol of cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline per minute (nmol/min). ²⁾Relative activity is based on the enzymatic activity produced by Streptomyces sp. TH1 strain of being 1 (one). ³⁾This is referred to in (2) of Example 1.

(2) Production of L-proline-3-hydroxylase by Transformant Having L-proline-3-hydroxylase II-type Gene:

E. coli ATCC12435 was transformed with plasmid pEX1–5 as obtained in Example 10. The resulting transformant was inoculated in 3 ml of a TB medium containing 50 μg/ml of ampicillin and cultivated therein overnight at 30° C. by shaking. The resulting culture was centrifuged, and the cells were collected. If desired, the cells were frozen and stored at −20° C., and the frozen cells were thawed before use.

The cells were added to 500 μl of a reaction mixture [containing 25 mM L-proline, 50 mM 2-ketoglutaric acid, 4 mM ferrous sulfate and 8 mM L-ascorbic acid in 200 mM TES buffer (pH 7.5)] at 2.2% (w/v) in terms of the wet cells, and reacted for 15 minutes at 35° C. The reaction mixture was heated at 100° C. for 2 minutes to stop the reaction.

The resulting reaction mixture was centrifuged, and 100 μl of 0.3 M borate buffer (pH 10.7), 4 μl of 10% (v/v) mercaptoethanol aqueous solution and 16 μl of 5% (w/v) OPA in ethanol were added to 100 μl of the resulting supernatant and left at 60° C. for 30 seconds, and thereafter the mixture was neutralized. This treatment resulted in modification of primary amino acids with OPA but not the secondary amino acid, hydroxyproline. The thus-processed reaction mixture was analyzed through HPLC, by which the product of cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline produced was quantitatively determined.

HPLC was conducted under the following conditions.

-   -   Mobile Phase: aqueous solution of 1 mM copper sulfate.     -   Flow Rate: 1 ml/min.     -   Column: SUMICHIRAL OA-5000 (produced by Sumika Chemical Analysis         Service Co., 4.6×250 mm)     -   Column Temperature: 38° C.

The eluate as optically resolved under the conditions mentioned above was on-line mixed with reactants mentioned below under the conditions mentioned below, in which the eluate was modified with NBD in a reaction box CRB-6A (produced by Shimadzu Co.) and the NBDated-secondary amino acid was quantitatively determined through fluorophotometry.

Reactants and Amounts Thereof Added:

-   -   aqueous solution of 300 mM boric acid and 25 mM EDTA (pH 9.6)         0.2 ml/min.     -   1 g/liter methanol of NBD: 0.5 ml/min.

Reaction Temperature: 60° C.

Detection: fluorophotometry

-   -   excitation wavelength 503 nm     -   emission wavelength 541 nm

As is shown in Table 14 below, the transformant E. coli ATCC12435/pEX1–5 produced L-proline-3-hydroxylase more by approximately 77 times/cell than the Streptomyces sp. TH1 strain which had been used as the gene source.

TABLE 14 L-proline-3-hydroxylase Activity Produced by Transformant Cell Relative Strain Activity¹⁾ Activity²⁾ E. coli ATCC12435/pEX1-5 4.42 77.5 E. coli ATCC12435/pBluescriptII Not — KS(+) detected. Streptomyces sp. TH1³⁾ 0.057 1 ¹⁾Cell activity indicates the enzymatic activity per mg of wet cells (U/mg wet cells). One U indicates the enzymatic activity of producing 1 nmol of cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline per minute (nmol/min). ²⁾Relative activity is based on the enzymatic activity produced by Streptomyces sp. TH1 strain of being 1 (one). ³⁾This is referred to in (2) of Example 1.

EXAMPLE 12

Construction of Expression Plasmid for a Fused Protein with a β-galactosidase Protein Fragment:

(1) Construction of pTH60 Plasmid:

Four micrograms of pTH40 DNA was cleaved with MluI and subjected to ethanol precipitation to obtain an ethanol precipitate. The thus-obtained ethanol precipitate (DNA fragment) was dissolved in 36 μl of TE, and the both terminals of the DNA fragment were blunted using Takara DNA Blunting Kit (produced by Takara Shuzo Co., LTD). The resulting DNA fragment was recovered through ethanol precipitation. The DNA was cleaved with EcoRI and subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis, a fragment of approximately 1 kb containing the structural gene of L-proline-3-hydroxylase was extracted from the agarose gel and recovered in a usual manner using Pre-A-Gene (produced by Biorad Co.). The DNA fragment was then dissolved in 10 μl of TE.

On the other hand, 2.4 μg of plasmid pBluescriptII KS(+) DNA was cleaved with ApaI and subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis. The DNA fragment was then recovered from the gel and purified in a usual manner. Using Takara DNA Blunting Kit (produced by Takara Shuzo Co., LTD), the both terminals of the DNA fragment were blunted. The thus-blunted DNA fragment was cleaved with EcoRI and then subjected to ethanol precipitation to obtain an ethanol precipitate. The ethanol precipitate was dissolved in 5 μl of TE.

The above-obtained MluI-EcoRI fragment of approximately 1 kb containing the structural gene of L-proline-3-hydroxylase was ligated to the ApaI-EcoRI-cleaved pBluescriptII KS(+), using a ligation kit (produced by Takara Shuzo Co., LTD).

With the ligated DNA, E. coli XL1-Blue MRF′ strain was transformed in a usual manner. The resulting transformant was spread on LB-agar medium containing 50 μg/ml of ampicillin and then cultivated thereon overnight at 37° C. A plasmid was extracted from the grown colonies of the transformant in a usual manner, and its structure was identified through digestion with restriction enzyme.

As a result of the above, plasmid pTH60, into which had been inserted the structural gene of L-proline-3-hydroxylase as fused with the N-terminal amino acid sequence of β-Gal, in the direction same as that for transcription of lac promoter (see FIG. 5) was obtained. The structure of the amino acid sequence of the fused protein thus constructed hereinabove was such that the N-terminal sequence of β-Gal comprised of 21 amino acids has been fused to the L-proline-3-hydroxylase protein via arginine (22nd) as newly formed at the DNA bonding site. However, methionine (GTG) which is the first amino acid of the L-proline-3-hydroxylase protein is translated as valine. The amino acid sequence of the fused protein is indicated by SEQ ID NO.: 15.

(2) pTH70 Plasmid:

pBluescriptII KS(+) DNA (2.4 μg) was cleaved with AccI and subjected to ethanol precipitation to obtain an ethanol precipitate (DNA fragment). The both terminals of the DNA fragment were blunted using Takara DNA Blunting Kit (produced by Takara Shuzo Co., LTD). The resulting DNA fragment was cleaved with EcoRI and then subjected to ethanol precipitation to obtain an ethanol precipitate. The ethanol precipitate was dissolved in 5 μl of TE.

The MluI-EcoRI fragment of approximately 1 kb containing the structural gene of L-proline-3-hydroxylase, which had been obtained in (1) of Example 12, was ligated to the AccI-EcoRI-cleaved pBluescriptII KS (+), using a ligation kit (produced by Takara Shuzo Co., LTD).

With the ligated DNA, E. coli XL1-Blue MRF′ strain was transformed in a usual manner. The resulting transformant was spread on LB-agar medium containing 50 μg/ml of ampicillin and then cultivated thereon overnight at 37° C. A plasmid was extracted from the grown colonies of the transformant in a usual manner, and its structure was identified through digestion with restriction enzyme.

As a result of the above, plasmid pTH70, into which had been inserted the structural gene of L-proline-3 hydroxylase as fused with the N-terminal amino acid sequence of B-Gal in the direction same as that for transcription of lac promoter (see FIG. 6) was obtained. The structure of the amino acid sequence of the fused protein thus constructed hereinabove was such that the N-terminal sequence of μ-Gal comprised of 27 amino acids has been fused to the L-proline-3-hydroxylase via arginine (28th) as newly formed at the DNA bonding site. However, methionine (GTG), which is the first amino acid of the L-proline-3-hydroxylase proteins, is translated as valine. The amino acid sequence of the fused protein is indicated by SEQ ID NO.: 16.

(3) pTH80 Plasmid:

Four micrograms of pTH40 DNA was cleaved with Mlul and subjected to ethanol precipitation to obtain an ethanol precipitate. The ethanol precipitate (DNA fragment) was dissolved in 36 μl of TE. Both terminals of the DNA fragment were blunted using a Takara DNA Blunting Kit (produced by Takara Shuzo Co., LTD). The resulting DNA fragment cleaved with Sacll and then subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis. After the electrophoresis, a fragment of approximately 0.95 kb containing the structural gene of L-proline-3-hydroxylase was extracted from the gel and recovered in a usual manner using Prep-A-Gene (produced by Biorad Co.). The thus-recovered fragment was then dissolved in 10 μl of TE.

On the other hand, 2.4 μg of plasmid pBluescriptII KS(+) DNA was cleaved with PstI and subjected to ethanol precipitation to obtain an ethanol precipitate (DNA fragment). This DNA fragment was dissolved in 36 μl of TE, and the both terminals of the DNA fragment were blunted using Takara DNA Blunting Kit (produced by Takara Shuzo Co., LTD). The resulting DNA fragment was then cleaved with SacII and subjected to ethanol precipitation to obtain an ethanol precipitate (DNA fragment). The DNA fragment was then dissolved in 5 μl of TE.

The MluI-SacII fragment of approximately 1 kb containing the structural gene of L-proline-3-hydroxylase, which had been obtained in the above, was ligated to the PstI-SacII-cleaved pBluescriptII KS (+), using a ligation kit (produced by Takara Shuzo Co., LTD).

With the ligated DNA, E. coli XL1-Blue MRF′ strain was transformed in a usual manner. The resulting transformant was spread on LB-agar medium containing 50 μg/ml of ampicillin and then cultivated thereon overnight at 37° C. A plasmid was extracted from the grown colonies of the transformant in a usual manner, and its structure was identified through digestion with restriction enzyme.

As a result of the above, obtained was plasmid pTH80, into which had been inserted the structural gene of L-proline-3-hydroxylase as fused with the N-terminal amino acid sequence of β-Gal in the direction same as that for transcription of lac promoter (see FIG. 7). The structure of the amino acid sequence of the fused protein thus constructed hereinabove was such that the N-terminal sequence of β-Gal comprised of 37 amino acids has been fused to the L-proline-3-hydroxylase protein via arginine (38th) as newly formed at the DNA bonding site. However, methionine (GTG), which is the first amino acid of the L-proline-3-hydroxylase proteins, is translated as valine. The amino acid sequence of the fused protein is indicated by SEQ ID NO.: 17.

EXAMPLE 13

Production of L-proline-3-hydroxylase by Transformant having Fused Protein Expression Plasmid:

E coli ATCC12435 was transformed with any one of plasmids pTH60, pTH70 and pTH80 as obtained in Example 12. In the same manner as in Example 11, the resulting transformant was cultivated, and the productivity of L-proline-3-hydroxylase by the transformant cells was detected.

As shown in Table 15 below, the transformant produced L-proline-3-hydroxylase in an amount of 46 to 121 times per cell in comparison to Streptomyces sp. TH1 strain which had been used as the gene source.

TABLE 15 L-proline-3-hydroxylase Activity Produced by Transformants Cell Relative Strain Activity¹⁾ Activity²⁾ E. coli ATCC12435/pTH60 5.19 91.1 E. coli ATCC12435/pTH70 6.90 121.1 E. coli ATCC12435/pTH80 2.63 46.1 E. coli ATCC12435/pBluescriptII Not — KS(+) detected. Streptomyces sp. TH1³⁾ 0.057 1.0 ¹⁾Cell activity indicates the enzymatic activity per mg of wet cells (U/mg wet cells). One U indicates the enzymatic activity of producing 1 nmol of cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline per minute (nmol/min). ²⁾Relative activity is based on the enzymatic activity produced by Streptomyces sp. TH1 strain of being 1 (one). ³⁾This is referred to in (2) of Example 1.

EXAMPLE 14

Production of Cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline by Transformant:

(1) Production of Cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline by Transformant E. coli ATCC12435/pTH70:

Cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline was produced using the transformant E. coli ATCC12435/pTH70 as obtained in Example 13.

Precisely, the transformant of E. coli ATCC12435/pTH70 was inoculated in 3 ml of a TB medium (comprising 12 g of bactotripton, 24 g of bactoyeast extract, 4 g of glycerol, 2.3 g of KH₂PO₄ and 12.5 g of dipotassium phosphate in one liter of distilled water and sterilized at 120° C. for 20 minutes) containing 100 μg/ml of ampicillin, and cultivated therein at 30° C. for 16 hours by shaking culture. The resulting culture was centrifuged, and the amount of cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline in the supernatant thus separated was quantitatively determined.

As a result, 620 μM (81.1 mg/liter) of cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline was formed in the supernatant of the culture of E. coli ATCC12435/pTH70.

On the other hand, free cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline was not detected in the supernatant of the culture of the E. coli ATCC12435 which had been used as the host.

(2) Production of Cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline by Transformant E. coli ATCC12435/pTH70:

The transformant of E. coli ATCC12435/pTH70 obtained in Example 13 was inoculated in 50 ml of a Med4 medium containing 100 μg/ml of ampicillin, and cultivated therein at 30° C. for 16 hours by shaking.

The culture was used as a seed culture, which was inoculated in a 5-liter jar fermenter containing therein 2 liters of a Med6 medium. 200 mM of L-proline and 100 μg/ml of ampicillin were added thereto, and the transformant was cultivated in the fermenter under the condition of 400 rpm and 1 vvm, at 30° C.

During the cultivation, glucose and L-proline were suitably added to the medium in such a manner that glucose was always present in the medium and L-proline could be at about 50 mM therein, and the lowermost limit of the pH of the medium was controlled at 6.5 by adding NH₄OH to the medium.

The culture was centrifuged, and the amount of cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline in the supernatant separated was quantitatively determined. Seventy two hours after the start of the incubation, 115 mM (15 g/liter) of cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline was produced and accumulated in the supernatant of the culture of E. coli ATCC12435/pTH70.

On the other hand, free cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline was not detected in the supernatant of the culture of E. coli ATCC12435 which had been used as the host.

EXAMPLE 15

Conversion of L-proline into Cis-3-hydroxy-L-Proline with Transformant Cells:

Using the transformant E. coli ATCC12435/pTH70 as obtained in Example 13, L-proline was converted into cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline.

Precisely, the transformant was inoculated in 10 ml of an LB medium containing 50 μg/ml of ampicillin and cultivated therein overnight at 30° C. by shaking. Then 7 ml of the culture was centrifuged to collect the cells (wet cells). If desired, the cells were frozen and stored at −20° C. and thawed before use.

After 10%(w/v) of the wet cells were added to 500 μl of a reaction mixture [comprising 24 mM L-proline, 24 mM 2-ketoglutaric acid, 4 mM ferrous sulfate and 8 mM L-ascorbic acid in 200 mM TES buffer (pH 7.5)], reaction was conducted at 35° C. for 60 minutes. The amount of cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline as formed in the reaction mixture was quantitatively determined. As a result, 17.7 mM (2.3 g/liter) of cis-3-hydroxy-L-proline was formed in the reaction mixture. 

1. A biologically pure culture of a microorganism selected from a group consisting of Streptomyces sp. TH1 (FERM BP-4399), Bacillus sp. TH2 (FERM BP-4397) and Bacillus sp. TH3 (FERM BP-4398). 